The follwing information pertains to the belladonna plant only. Any cautions related to the plant's toxicity do not apply to homeopathic preparations due to the trace quantities of the plant substance within homeopathic remedies.
* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
The follwing information pertains to the belladonna plant only. Any cautions related to the plant's toxicity do not apply to homeopathic preparations due to the trace quantities of the plant substance within homeopathic remedies.
Medicinal Usage
The chemical substance atropine in belladonna does affect the eyes in this manner, and eye doctors today use it to dilate the pupils so that they can examine the retina. Belladonna contains two other valuable substances, scopolamine and hyoscyamine, which, like atropine, are sedatives and act to relax smooth muscle. Individually or in combination, the constituents of belladonna (obtained from the leaves and root) are the basic ingredients in a variety of antispasmodics commonly prescribed today to treat intestinal disorders such as diarrhea, irritable colon, and peptic ulcer.
Eye doctors use a belladonna derivative to dilate pupils for eye examinations. The plant is a basic ingredient in medications for colic and peptic ulcers. Externally, belladonna ointment is occasionally applied to treat gout and rheumatism.
General Herb Information
The Devil himself, it has been said, tends this plant, which is at once a deadly poison and a valuable medicine. Its botanical name derives from one of the three Fates, Atropos, who in Greek mythology cuts the thread of life. One of the plant's popular names is deadly nightshade, and certainly to use it as a home remedy would be deadly folly. Yet despite such a deservedly grim reputation, this plant is universally known as belladonna, or "fair lady" in Italian. According to one story, the name comes from the plant's use long ago by Italian women, who dropped the juice in their eyes to enlarge the pupils and make their eyes more beautiful.
Belladonna is extremely toxic; even relatively small doses of it can cause coma and death. Because the ripe berries are not only sweet-tasting but poisonous, children should be expressly warned not to touch them.
Habitat: Woods and wastelands.
Range: Native to Eurasia, belladonna is naturalized in the eastern United States.
Identification: A perennial with a leafy, smooth, branched stem growing about 3 feet tall. Dull green alternate leaves are unequal in size on the upper parts of the stem. Solitary bell-shaped purplish-brown flowers (June-July) arising from the leaf axils are followed by glossy black berries with inky purple juice (September).
User Group Forum
Share your questions and information with the ZooScape community!
Anonymous - February 15, 2007, 08:26
#10001055
Hi,
I wanted to thank you for sending me these health newsletters , I do enjoy reading them. I don't know how I got into your system ...........but thanks.
I would like to know if you have anything about the plant belladonna and what the plant looks like??
If you also have anything on dandylions , I would love to read up on that
ZooScape Moderator - February 15, 2007, 08:29
#10001058
Hi Karen,
There is enough research and information available to go on forever, but I've tried to boil down the information into a few brief paragraphs:
Belladonna is a tall perennial (3-6 feet high) with purple, bell-shaped flowers. It's name, atropa belladonna, is derived from one of the three Fates in Greek mythology who "cut the thread of life". This is significant because belladonna is actually a poisonous plant. The natural chemicals found in the plant have been used by doctors to dilate puipls and for their sedative and relaxant effects on smooth muscle. These properties have also made belladonna useful in treating tremors in Parkinson's disease patients and as an anesthetic. It is always used with a great deal of caution since the medicinal doses are dangerously close to toxic dosages that can lead to paralysis and death.
Belladonna, as with many other natural substances that would be toxic or near-toxic in regular herbal dosages, is more typically used in homeopathy. Homeopathy, and the underlying "Law of Similars" that governs it, involves extremely diluted concentrations of substances like belladonna (or poison ivy called rhus toxicodendron, for example). These plant substances would be harmful to the body in herbal or medicinal dosages, but when concentrated to the point where nothing remains but their "energy imprint", they are used to treat a variety of disorders. Homeopathic belladonna has been used to treat everything from infections, fevers, flu, and headaches to labour pains, nephritis, cystitis, and teething in infants.
Dandelion is highly regarded by the herbal practitioner, if not by the gardener, and needs no description in terms of the physical characteristics of the plant. The leaf and the root are both used medicinally (the flower has been used but not nearly as much), but typically dandelion root is favoured. Dandelion is cultivated primarily for liver, kidney, and gall bladder complaints and has been used to treat gout, kidney stones, obesity, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and high choletserol. The expert panel in Germany known as the Commission E recommends the use of dandelion for liver disorders, appetite loss, indigestion, and fluid retention. Some research has pointed to the diuretic, antiviral, antifungal, and even anti-cancer properties of dandelion as well. It is, for good reason, one of the safest and most popular herbs.
I Hope that helps!
Directions
Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.
Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.
If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.
Take 3 pellets 3 times a day.
Homeopathic medicines are safe and remarkably free from side effects. Your condition, however may require special care, so please observe the following: Do not take this product for pain for more than 10 days(adults) or 5 days(children) unless directed by a doctor. If pain gets worse, if new symptoms occur, or if redness or swelling is present, consult a doctor because these could be signs of a serious condition. As with any drug, if you are pregnant or nursing a baby, seek the advice of a health professional before using this product. Warning--Keep out of the reach of children.
Sublingual medication. Place under tongue; let dissolve. Take when mouth is in natural condition, 1/2 hour before or after eating, brushing teeth, or drinking anything but water.
Cautions
In order to maintain the potency and freshness of these products, it is very important to store them properly. They need protection against light, high temperatures and humidity, and, after use, are best stored in a small kit or bag.
Avoid opening a tube or any other container of homeopathic medication in a room where perfumes or strong odors are present. And, needless to say, keep them away from any cigarette smoke.
Additional Information
Homeopathy is a medical system based on the belief that illness can be cured by taking a minute dose of a substance that, if taken by a healthy person, would produce symptoms like those being treated. Homeopathy employs a variety of plant, animal, and mineral substances in very small doses to stimulate the body's natural healing powers and to bring the body back into balance.
Homeocan is Canada's leading manufacturer of homeopathic products
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
