Belladonna is a plant that in nature is also called wolfberry, sleepy foolishness, belladonna, mad cherry. It has been known for its medicinal properties since time immemorial. In the wild, belladonna grows in the Crimea, the Caucasus, the Carpathians, it is also distributed in Western Europe, North America, Pakistan.
Composition and general characteristics
One of the most toxic to humans is the belladonna plant. Homeopathy, despite this, nevertheless learned to take advantage of it. So, dark pointed leaves serve as the basis for healing extracts. It is recommended to harvest them during the flowering period and this should be done with extreme caution: poisonous juice should not get into the mouth or eyes. The plant itself is easy to confuse with wild cherries, as their fruits are very similar.
Atropine, hyoscyamine, alkaloids are toxic substances that belladonna is rich in. Homeopathy and traditional medicine are able to use them for medicinal purposes. In particular, plant alkaloids anesthetize, relieve spasms in smooth muscles, normalize the activity of the heart, genitourinary system, digestion, and expand the bronchi. Like any other homeopathic remedy, the extract should be taken in a strictly defined dosage. Otherwise, atropine may cause respiratory arrest.
Belladonna. Homeopathy and traditional medicine
The beneficial properties of atropine are widely used in the treatment of gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis, gallstone disease, bronchial asthma. The ability of this substance to dilate the pupil and increase intraocular pressure is used by ophthalmologists in the form of drops of atropine sulfate to examine the fundus. In cases of poisoning with morphine and acetylcholine, it is used as an antidote. Belladonna extract is also part of rectal suppositories, which heal cracks and relieve pain in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Dry leaves are the basis for creating a cure for asthma.
The beneficial qualities of belladonna have long been used by homeopaths. This mainly applies to lung diseases, digestive system, neurological diseases, rheumatism. Proponents of alternative treatments consider the words inseparable: belladonna - homeopathy. Instructions for the use of this tool exist, and it should be followed. The standard dosage is 1 drop of tincture in 3 tablespoons of water. But it can be increased to 1 drop per 30 drops of water in complex cases: epilepsy, enuresis, migraine.
Features of use and contraindications
When taking any medications based on poisonous plants, you must strictly adhere to the specified amount of the substance, otherwise you can harm the body. The smallest overdose may be indicated by dry mouth, dilated pupils, and a frequent heartbeat. A significant excess of the dose causes discoordination, fever, impaired accommodation, blurred consciousness, hallucinations. When such symptoms appear, it is necessary to carry out procedures that promote the removal of the drug from the body. This can be a laxative or an absorbent drug, as well as gastric lavage.
The period of pregnancy and lactation, as well as the presence of glaucoma, are those cases when the use of drugs that include belladonna is prohibited. Homeopathy strongly recommends following these guidelines.
In addition to the enormous benefits of using this plant, there is the possibility of poisoning it with berries, which are perceived by people (mostly children) as edible. If this happens, you should, as with any other poisoning, immediately rinse the stomach, allowing the victim to drink a solution of potassium permanganate to cause vomiting.