PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Belladonna

Atropa belladonna

DESCRIPTION

^P Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves and

roots.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are solitary and hanging. The

calyx is fused at the base, has 5 divisions and is spread like a

star when the fruit ripens. The violet corolla is a campanulate

tube, 2.5 to 3.5 cm long, dirty yellow on the inside with

crimson veins. There are 5 stamens and 1 style with a 2-

lobed stigma. The ovary is superior. The fruit is a cherry-

sized globose berry. The fruit is initially green, then becomes

black and glossy with numerous black, ovoid seeds.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Atropa belladonna is a perennial,

herbacious plant 1 to 2 m high with a many-headed

cylindrical rhizome. The woody stem is erect, branched,

bluntly angular and hairy. The leaves are ovately pointed,

entire-margined, downy and up to 15 cm long. The lower

. leaves are alternate. Near the inflorescence the leaves are in
^ pairs of 1 large and 1 small.

Characteristics: Belladonna has a strong narcotic smell, a

sharp and bitter taste, and is poisonous.

Habitat: The plant is found throughout western, central and

southern Europe, in the Balkans, southeast Asia, Iran,

northern Africa, Denmark, Sweden and Ireland. It is

cultivated in other countries, particularly England, France

and the U.S.

Production: Belladonna leaf consists of the dried leaves, or

the dried leaves together with the flowering branch tips, of

Atropa belladonna. The leaves are collected in the wild from

May to July. They are dried at a temperature not exceeding

60°C. Belladonna root consists of the dried roots and

rhizomes of Atropa belladonna. The roots of 2- to 4-year-old

plants are dug up in mid-October to mid-November or

shortly before the start of the flowering season. They are

cleaned and dried at a maximum temperature of 50°C.

V
Not to be Confused With: Belladonna leaf should not be
confused with Ailanthus altissimus, Phytolacca americana or
Scopolia carniolica. Belladonna root should not be confused
with Atropa acuminata. It is sometimes adulterated with
Phytolacca americana and Scopolia cariolica.
Other Names: Deadly Nightshade, Devil's Cherries, Devil's
Herb, Divale, Dwale, Dwayberry, Great Morel, Naughty
Man's Cherries, Poison Black Cherry

BELLADONNA/69

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: BELLADONNA LEAF

Tropan alkaloids: chief alkaloid (-)-hyoscyamine, which

during drying transforms to some extent into atropine, as

well as apoatropine, scopolamine and tropine

Flavonoids

Hydroxycoumarins: including scopoline, scopoletine

Tannins

COMPOUNDS: BELLADONNA ROOT

Tropan alkaloids: chief alkaloid (-)-hyoscyamine, in drying

transformed to some extent during dehydration into atropine

as well as apoatropine, 3alpha-phenylacetoxytropane, tro-

pine, cuskhygrine, scopolamine, pseudotropine

EFFECTS: BELLADONNA LEAF AND ROOT

The tropane alkaloids in the drug (atropine, scopolamine,

tropine etc.) are responsible for the anti-cholinergic-para-

sympatholytic, spasmolytic, positive, dromotropic and chro-

notropic effect. Atropa belladonna preparations act as a

parasympatholytic or anticholinergic via a competitive

antagonism of the neuromuscular transmitter acetylcholine.

This antagonism concerns mainly the muscarine-like effect

of acetylcholine and less the nicotine-like effects on the

ganglions and the neuromuscular end plate. Atropa belladon-

na preparations release peripheral effects targeted on the

vegetative nervous system and the smooth muscle system, as

well as the central nervous system. Because of the parasym-

patholytic properties, the drug can cause relaxation of organs

with smooth muscles and relieve spastic conditions, especial-

ly in the gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts. Additionally,

Belladonna use may result in muscular tremor or rigidity due

to effects on the central nervous system. Atropa belladonna

preparations have a positive dromotropic as well as a

positive chronotropic effect on the heart. The drug has

always been important in folk medicine for its hallucinogen-

ic effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

BELLADONNA LEAF

Approved by Commission E:

• Liver and gall bladder complaints

Unproven Uses: Belladonna leaf is used for spasms and

colic-like pain in the gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts.

External uses include gout and ulcers. In folk medicine, the

drug is contained in medicinal plasters and is applied for

neuro-vegetative disorders, hyperkinesis, hyperhidrosis and

bronchial asthma.

Homeopathic Uses: Homeopathic uses include meningitis as

well as inflammations (accompanied by fever) of the tonsils,