A picture of the belladonna plant, with its vibrant colors.
Screenshot of Belladonna

        Atropa belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, is a plant with yellow flowers and dark red berries that grows wild in Europe. Belladonna, which means “Beautiful woman” in Italian, gets its name from the Renaissance era when Italian ladies places belladonna drops in their eyes to achieve a doe eyed appearance and rubbed it on their skin to remove pimples.

Until the end of the nineteenth century, conventional doctors used belladonna to treat scarlet fever. Today it is one of the most homeopaths and naturopaths for a wide variety of conditions and symptoms.

 

Types of pain: That can be treated with Belladonna


  • Toothache
  • Teething
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Neuralgia
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Headache
  • Ear infections
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Cystitis
  • Bursitis

Indications and Dosing for Belladonna

 

Belladonna remedies are available in liquid, granule, powder and tablet forms.

Tablets are the most common form, but any one is equally effective when taken correctly. If taking a tablet, place it under the tongue and allow it to dissolve.

A bottle of liquid belladonna on a table

A small bottle of belladonna on a table.


Toothache: The toothache comes on suddenly and is severe and throbbing. Often swelling and redness surround the affected tooth. Take 30c every five minutes for up to 10 doses. If there is no improvement, a different remedy is needed.

Teething: When the gums are red, swollen and throbbing and the child cries in his or her sleep, belladonna may help. Give 30c twice daily. If there is no improvement after two days, another remedy is needed.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: The infection comes on suddenly and is accompanied by severe abdominal pain made worse by the slightest jarring. Take 30c every two hours for up to 10 doses in acute cases.

Headache: The pain comes on suddenly and is severe, the head throbs; the face is flushed and the headaches worsen with exposure to the sun. Take 30c every 10 to 15 minutes for up to 10 doses.

Ear Infection: Try belladonna when ear pain comes on suddenly, is severe and is accompanied by a high fever. Children may experience delirium and nightmares. Take 30c every four to six hours.

Dsymenorrhea: Indications for belladonna include cramps that are worse just before the period starts, a dragging sensation in the pelvic area that becomes worse when laying down, skin that is hot and flushed and menstrual blood that is bright red. Take 30c every hour for up to 10 doses as soon as period pain begin.

Cystitis (Urinary Tract Infection): Belladonna works best when symptoms include a throbbing headache, burning pains accompanying a constant urge to urinate, dark urine and hot burning skin. Take 6c every two hours for up to six doses, then reduce intake to three or four doses daily until symptoms begin to resolve.

Bursitis: Belladonna is indicated when pain is worse with slight jarring motion and the joints are hot, swollen and throbbing. Take 30c four times daily for up to seven days.

 

How Safe is Belladonna

Warning: Belladonna plant is poisonous (though the homeopathic remedy is not), use only the homeopathic form of belladonna and follow your health care providers instruction for use. 

When taken by mouth: Belladonna is likely unsafe. It contains chemicals that can be poisonous even at low doses. Serious side effects might include blurred vision, fever, fast heartbeat, inability to urinate or sweat, hallucinations, spasms, mental problems, convulsions, coma, and others.

When applied to the skin: Belladonna is possibly unsafe. There isn't enough reliable information available to know if the poisonous chemicals in belladonna can be absorbed through the skin.

When given as a suppository (rectally): Belladonna is possibly unsafe. There isn't enough reliable information available to know if the poisonous chemicals in belladonna can be absorbed from the rectum.