Benefits, Uses, Side Effects, and More

Belladonna is a poisonous plant grown in parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States. Though it is toxic, it has been used historically as a treatment for various health conditions.

The plant contains compounds like scopolamine and atropine, two natural products known to have medicinal properties. Belladonna has been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches, and the common cold.

Belladonna is not a common ingredient in modern medications. Because of a lack of research and safety concerns, do not ever consume belladonna on its own. Avoid medications with belladonna, especially without approval from your healthcare provider.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic health condition affecting your gastrointestinal (GI) system. Symptoms include stomach pain, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. In the past, medication containing belladonna was used to relieve stomach cramps caused by IBS.

The medicine decreased motility (food movement through the gastrointestinal system) and managed the acid in your stomach. However, recent studies have not found evidence that belladonna improves IBS symptoms.

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in your kidneys and build up in your urinary tract. Kidney stones can grow large, blocking normal urine flow from the kidneys. Common symptoms of kidney stones include pain, blood in the urine, and nausea. A prescribed medication containing belladonna was used before the 1930s to relieve pain from kidney stones.

This is not currently considered a treatment for kidney stones. Research is needed to know how effective and safe it is to use medications with belladonna.

The high safety risks associated with belladonna limit its use as a medication. There are certain health conditions that researchers believe belladonna may be useful for treating.

Health conditions that researchers have shown interest in using belladonna to treat include:

There is little reliable research showing that belladonna can effectively and safely treat these conditions. Much safer drug options than belladonna have become available as medicine and healthcare have advanced.

Belladonna is commonly taken orally (by mouth). Topical (applied to the skin), rectal, and eye drop options are also available. Your healthcare provider can prescribe belladonna. Due to its associated risks, providers do not commonly prescribe belladonna.

Dosage

Little research has been done on consuming belladonna since it is not the safest option for medication. Consult with your healthcare provider if you are considering taking a medication with belladonna. Never consume it on its own because of the toxins in the plant.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published warnings against using belladonna, specifically in infant teething products. Serious side effects seen in infants who have received these products include seizures, breathing problems, and irritability. Using belladonna has been fatal in some cases. Despite the warning, products containing belladonna (including teething products) are still available over the counter (OTC).

There have also been reports of glaucoma and anisocoria (unequal pupil size) caused by eye drops containing belladonna. In these reported cases, the patient affected used an (OTC) eye drop for general eye care.

Due to its toxic properties, belladonna is not recommended for use in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Belladonna can also decrease breastmilk production.

Potential Drug Interactions

Belladonna has elements of toxicity as a plant but is often used as an anticholinergic drug. Anticholinergic drugs block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) to treat muscle spasms and other health conditions. When mixed with certain medications, belladonna can increase your risk of side effects.

Known drug interactions with belladonna include:

• Anticholinergic drugs: Belladonna may increase the risk of side effects when taken with other anticholinergic drugs. Anticholinergic side effects can include confusion, difficulty urinating, blurred vision, and constipation. Examples of anticholinergic medications include AtroPen (atropine), Dartisla (glycopyrrolate), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), and Ditropan (oxybutynin).
• Propulsid (cisapride): Belladonna may lower the beneficial effects of cisapride, a drug used to treat heartburn. Belladonna contains atropine, which blocks cisapride from helping with the motility of your gastrointestinal tract.

What To Look For

If you decide to use a product containing belladonna, there are numerous facts that you should consider. The FDA does not typically evaluate supplements for approval. Some supplements may contain additional ingredients that the label does not list.

You can search for supplements tested by independent third-party organizations that ensure the ingredients listed on the supplement bottle are accurate. Popular organizations that offer third-party testing include United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and NSF International.

Can You Take Too Much Belladonna?

It is possible to consume a dangerous amount of belladonna. Belladonna toxicity symptoms can occur when consuming as few as 10 belladonna berries in adults and two berries in children. Always consult a healthcare provider before consuming supplements with belladonna. The FDA does not regulate supplements containing belladonna and may contain more belladonna than listed on the label.

Taking too much belladonna will likely cause an increased heart rate, hallucinations, coma, and other life-threatening symptoms.

Even at low doses, you will likely experience side effects while taking supplements with belladonna.

Potential side effects include:

• Eye problems (blurry vision or dilated pupils)
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Loss of memory
• Constipation
• Decreased sweating
• Difficulty urinating
• Dry mouth
• Fever

The FDA warns that belladonna may be dangerous to certain people, especially infants and children. Chemicals found in belladonna can affect the nervous system and cause changes to multiple body functions, including digestive function, heart rate, and blood pressure. Because of this, belladonna is not a commonly recommended alternative therapy option or medication.

Belladonna is a poisonous plant that is toxic when consumed by human beings. Although there has been evidence of past use in medications, belladonna is not commonly used today because of the risks and lack of research.

Consuming belladonna can affect your nervous system. It can also be especially dangerous for infants and children. Consult your healthcare provider if you are considering using supplements with belladonna as an ingredient.