Belladonna - caution needed

The most important chemical in Belladonna is atropine which is an important agent producing an increase in heart rate. It also dilates the pupils of the eyes. Atropine is added to some cough syrups as it is known to be helpful for bronchitis and whooping cough. In the past it has also been used to soothe the stomach prior to an anesthetic, and also to help in treating stomach ulcers.

However, as it is dangerous, Belladonna is not an herb that you are going to want to stock your pantry with. While it has its benefits, this is an herb that can kill. The common name "deadly nightshade" is a good clue of its danger. There is however a tincture that comes from this plant that is used for medicinal purposes. Belladonna is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia Minor but is now grown quite often in the United States, Europe, and India. When the plant is in full bloom the plant is harvested and then dried for use.

While growing in the wild, which belladonna commonly does, a slight dose can be fatal. Belladonna goes by many different names but has been used for over 500 years. In the earliest times, Belladonna was first used to enhance beauty. It did thas by dilating their pupils, which made women look more attractive. Belladonna literally means  "beautiful lady" in Italian.

Belladonna also has other great benefits for purposes of what it is used for today as it has the ability to dry up bodily fluids such as breast milk, saliva, perspiration, and mucous. The alkaloids in Belladonna are used for many conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders such as colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, colic, diarrhea, and peptic ulcer. 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.

Quite often Belladonna is used as homeopathic remedies such as the common cold, earaches, fever, menstrual cramps, sunstroke, toothaches, headaches, sore throats, and boils. How the patient ingests and how much they ingest is determined by a few various factors such as their symptoms, mood, and overall temperament. When Belladonna is administered for homeopathic use it is highly diluted because of the toxicity level of it.

Belladonna is a dangerous herb and should not be used by anyone not skilled in its use. The doses given of Belladonna are always in very low doses. When Belladonna is prescribed it is either added to sugar pellets or mixed with other types of drugs and is available by prescription only. Keep away! If you need a herb for the heart, there are herbs for this - such as Hawthorn or Motherwort - which are just as beneficial - without being so dangerous!