Health Articles > Health-and-medicine > The Medical Uses of Belladonna

Belladonna is a very poisonous plant species. A common name for Belladonna is deadly nightshade. The plant species is distributed throughout Europe, West Asia, North America and North Africa. Plants grow to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall with 18 cm (7 in) long. The plant grows berries which are extremely poisonous. The berries are attractive and pose a threat to children who may try to eat them. A child eating 5 Belladonna berries may die. An adult eating 10 to 20 berries may also die. Belladonna is considered a weed species and can grow any wooded area. This plant species when eaten is also toxic to certain animals such as domestic animals and livestock. Cattle and rabbits can eat Belladonna without any issues. Allopathic uses for Belladonna Belladonna is given in small amounts for over the counter flu and cough medicines. Eye doctors also use this drug in small amounts to dilate pupils. Belladonna is often combined with other drugs to treat patients. Examples of this are Donnatal. Donnatal is a prescription drug that provides peripheral anticholinergic/antispasmodic action and mild sedation. It contains natural belladonna alkaloids combined with phenobarbital. The drug is considered possibly effective for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and acute enterocolitis and as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of duodenal ulcers. However, no conclusive trials have been done to verify whether Donnatal works for irritable bowel syndrome and acute enterocolitis. Homeopathic uses for Belladonna Hanhemann proved this remedy in 1799 and used it to treat scarlett fever. Belladonna is used to treat conditions with a sudden onset. The type of conditions Belladonna treatments are similar to the symptoms if someone is poisoned with Belladonna. Belladonna poisoning results in people getting a high fever, sore throat or loss of voice, nausea, delirium, muscle spasms, flushed skin and dilated pupils. Homeopathic Belladonna is used to treat these type of conditions in a person. Homeopathic Belladonna is also used to treat cold and flu symptoms, infections with inflammation, intense pounding headaches, boils, earaches, seizures, labor pain, pink eye, nose bleeds, nephritis(inflammation of the kidneys) restless sleep, teething pain, tonsillitis, acne and sunburn. Female use Belladonna to treat breast infections, urinary bladder infections, menstrual cramps, and irritated nipples due to breast feeding. Symptoms for these conditions are usually better with warmth and standing. Conditions usually worsen with cold air, at night, movement and lying down. Information Referenced from Wiklopedia. Answers on Belladonna. Complete Guide to Homeopathy. Dr. Andrew Lockie and Dr. Nicola Geedes.