Most people are unlikely to want to stock their pantries with belladonna. This herb does have some benefits, but it can also be very dangerous, and in some cases, fatal. Belladonna is also known as ‘deadly nightshade’, which is a good indication of its potency.
Belladonna is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia Minor, although today is is often grown in the United States and elsewhere too. it is harvested when the plant is in full bloom, and then dried for use. Belladonna tincture is also used for medicinal purposes.
So exactly what is belladonna used for? The herb contains a chemical called atropine, which is used to dilate the pupils of the eye (women actually used to use it for this purpose, to increase their sexual attractiveness, and ‘Belladonna’ means ‘beautiful lady’ in Italian). Atropine also causes the heart rate to increase, and is sometimes used as an ingredient in cough syrups used for bronchitis and whooping cough. It also has a soothing effect on the stomach, and is sometimes used for this purpose prior to the administration of an anesthetic, as well as in the treatment of peptic ulcers.
Belladonna can also be used to dry up bodily fluids (such as mucous, saliva, perspiration and breast milk). It contains alkaloids that can be used to treat a diverse range of conditions, such as colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, colic, diarrhea, and peptic ulcers. It also works for asthma, excessive sweating, excessive nighttime urination and incontinence, headaches and migraines, muscle pains and spasms, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, and biliary colic.
The herb is also sometimes used in homeopathic remedies for ailments like the common cold, earaches, fever, menstrual cramps, sunstroke, toothaches, headaches, sore throats, and boils. When used by homeopaths, belladonna is highly diluted due to its high toxicity level.
Belladonna does grow in the wild, but should not be used in its whole form, as even a tiny overdose can be fatal. For this reason, nobody should self-prescribe belladonna, and it should only be used under the direction of a qualified doctor. When used in this way, only very small doses are given, and it is only available on prescription. The herb is either mixed with other drugs, or is added to sugar pellets to make it more palatable.
So while it is clear that belladonna is an extremely dangerous herb, it can be beneficial when used correctly, under the supervision of a professional.
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