Belladonna
Deadly Nightshade
One of the most important of the homeopathic remedies, Belladonna has a powertul effect on the heart, lungs and blood vessels, as well as on the brain and nervous system.
Because deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonnea) is an extremely poisonous plant, cating its sweet, cherry-like fruit can lead to severe illness and. in the worst cases. death. However, the toxic constituent of Belladonna—a chemical called atropine—plays an important role in modern pharmacology. In fact, minute doses of atropine are medications. In homeopathic medicine, Belladonna is also dispensed in dilute, nontoxic doses. This remedy is safely prescribed by homeopaths for a broad range of purposes and is especially helpful for quick relief of fever and in treating coughs, headaches and flu. Like other homeopathic remedies, Belladonna is best given to those with particular character traits (right).
BELLADONNA TYPE
The person most likely to benefit from Belladonna is extremely hotheaded and intelligent. Typically, disease strikes unexpectedly, “like a bolt from the sky.” If treated correctly, symptoms are relieved fairly quickly. Telling features are a very flushed face and shiny skin.
Determine if you’re a Belladonna type
Check those characteristics that apply to you.
- You are prone to anxiety and plagued by feelings of distress, agitation and uneasiness. .
- Your face becomes strongly flushed by heat.
- You have throbbing sensations in your head.
- You are nervous and easily excited.
- You sleep restlessly and have night matres.
- Your arms or legs are cold at the same time that your head is warm.
If you checked more than three items, turn to the card back for further information on the types of complaints that Belladonna can help.
Belladonna
Therapeutic Effect: Used in its homeopathic form, Belladonna bas a calming ™ effect on the central nervous system, the linings of the brain and spinal cord, the upper respiratory passages and the digestive tract. The remedy alleviates restlessness, anxiety and insomnia. It may also help to diminish painful sensitivity to light, touch or pressure.
🙤 Principal homeopathic uses
Belladonna is commonly used to relieve facial flushing or fevers accompanied by shaking, chills or profuse sweating. Other indications include tonsillitis, sore throats, fever-induced hallucinations, severe headaches and PMS.
🙤 Preparation of the remedy
The leaves, roots and fruit of the Belladonna plant are ground up and mixed with alcohol to form the basic tincture, which is then diluted. It is recommended in a potency of 30C.
🙤 Relief from neuralgia (nerve pain)
Belladonna may help alleviate the type of nerve pain that typically begins suddenly, migrates to different areas of the body and just as quickly subsides. The pain may often be sharp or stabbing and can sometimes be temporarily relieved by moving the afflicted area. Redness and swelling of the joints may also accompany the pain.
Symptom Gauge
To find out whether Belladonna is the right remedy for you, the homeopath must know whether your symptoms are affected by any of the conditions listed below.
Better
- Sweating and Heat
- Warm Clothing
- Bending forward
- Rest
- Dark Places
Worst
- Motion or touch
- Draft
- Light
- Noise
- Cold
Prescribed for fever, gout, stomach and digestive upset, gastric, inflammation of brain and spinal cord, menstrual cramp manic depression, poisoning, headaches, hallucinations and insomnia
✽ Indications ✽
♦ Mood
- Intense anxiety
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Insomnia and daytime sleepiness
- Aversion to being touched
♦ Head
- Dry mouth and lack of taste .
- Inflamed mucous membranes
- Loss of voice; dry throat
- Bloody secretions from the nose
- Hypersensitive scalp
- Hot, throbbing sensations in the head
♦ Eyes
- Glassy eyes with dilated pupils
- Dry, redeyes
- Extreme sensitivity to sunlight or glare
- Pulsing pains in the eyes
♦ Skin
- Brightand shiny skin, with some redness
- Painful abscesses and inflammations; warts
- Dry skin; inflamed areas ma y be sweaty
♦ Extremities
- Cold hands or feet (though the rest of the ‘body, particularly the face, feels hot)
- Inflammation in the upper arms or legs
- Acute pains in the arms; swollen joints
- Muscle spasms; twitching and jerking
Symptom Gauge
To find out whether Belladonna is the right remedy for you, the homeopath must know whether your symptoms are affected by any of the conditions listed below.
Better
- Heat
- Keeping the head wrapped
- Warm beverages
- Cold foods
- Summer
Worst
- Cold, damp weather
- Draft
- Evening and late at night
- Lying on the left side