Belladonna: One of the Common Drugs in Homeopathy

Belladonna is a common drug extracted from the leaves and roots of a medicinal plant called Atropa belladonna, commonly called as Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade.

In homeopathic medicine practices, Belladonna was prescribed as a topical medication for pain and inflammation by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician known as the father of Homoeopathy.

Belladonna helps in treating colds, hay fever, arthritis pain, bronchospasms caused by asthma or whooping cough, hemorrhoids, colic, irritable bowel syndrome, motion sickness, nerve disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

However, one should not take belladonna if he/she suffers from below diseases/disorders.

1. If a person is having kidney problems.
2. If there is any blockage in the urinary tract or if a person finds difficulty in urinating. One should also share with the doctor if the patient suffers from hiatal hernia or reflux disease or enlargement of the prostate.
3. In the case of blockage in intestines, or ulcerative colitis caused by toxic megacolon.
4. If a person is having glaucoma.
5. If a person is suffering from myasthenia gravis or weakness in the skeletal muscles.
6. Prior to taking the medication, one should inform the physician if he or she feels numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
7. The physician should be aware of the patient suffering from any liver disease, thyroid problems, high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat, or any type of cardiac disease.

Common Side effects

Many times some side effects may occur. These may be less serious side effects; however, the patient must consult the doctor in case he/she feels uncomfortable. Here are some of the less serious side effects.

1. Headache, dizziness, weakness or nervousness;
2. Blurred vision, large pupils, or sensitivity of the eyes to bright light
3. Nausea, bloating, heartburn, or constipation
4. Changes in taste
5. Difficulty urinating
6. Decreased sweating
7. Nasal congestion, stuffiness, or a dry mouth.

Other serious side effects that seek immediate medical attention include.

1. Any allergic reaction such as swelling of lips, tongue, or face
2. Difficulty in breathing, closing of throat, or hives
3. An irregular or fast heart rate
4. Rash or flushing
5. Severe eye pain

Belladonna is usually sold as an herbal supplement. However, there are no regulatory standards for manufacturing many of the herbal compounds. Therefore, some of the supplements available in the market are found to be contaminated with toxic substances or other drugs. Hence, it is always advised to purchase such herbal/health supplements from a reliable source to mitigate the risk of contamination.