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Atropa belladonna L.
A. belladonna acuminata
Solanaceae
Nightshade family
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Contents:
Common Names
Parts Usually Used
Plant(s) & Culture
Medicinal Properties
Biochemical Information Uses
How Sold
Warning
Bibliography
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Common Names
Bladona
Deadly nightshade
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Parts Usually Used
Leaves and flowers
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Atropa belladonna is a poisonous plant with reddish flowers and shining black
berries. Source of various alkaloids, including atropine and scopolamine. Belladonna
(beautiful lady) is an anticholinergic. This attractive plant with its thick
stems or branches and leaves is somewhat similar to the tobacco plant. However,
its axillary flowers, dull brown to dark purple in color, indicate that it is
neither tobacco plant or ground-cherry (Chinese lantern). The ripe, shiny black
berries often entice children to pick and eat them, with fatal results. Plants
can have good and bad characteristics, and this is the case with belladonna.
It can kill people, but it is also a life saver.
The Garden Nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.),
often thought of as the Deadly Nightshade, but should not be confused with Belladonna.
The Solanum nigrum is the rarer of the many nightshade species.
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Medicinal Properties
Antispasmodic, diuretic, narcotic, sedative
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Biochemical Information
Various alkaloids, especially hyoscyamine and scopalamine
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Uses
Sedative, anticholinergic (an agent that blocks parasympathetic nerve impulses)
and spasmolytic effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Treats nervous congestion,
suppresses the action of smooth muscles, and is helpful for kidney pains, and
colitis. It is used in ophthalmology to dilate the pupils of the eyes (Atropine).
The leaves applied externally are used as
a treatment and possible cure for cancer by both Western herbalists and in Chinese
folk medicine.
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How Sold
Belladonna in powder form from leaf and flowering top of Atropa belladonna Linne
or A. belladonna acuminata. It is used generally in tincture form, though the
dry extract in tablet form may be used.
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Warning
If eaten, vomiting should be induced immediately.
This herb is potentially fatal. Could cause death or other serious consequences. Its use is not recommended without professional medical guidance.
