In Italy, women have used Atropa belladonna to dilate their pupils. Hence the name “Belladonna”, meaning “beautiful lady”.
Belladonna is is a plant in the Solanaceae family, used for all sudden acute and painful conditions.
Belladonna is a very effective medicine for inflammatory and febrile syndromes. The fever in Belladonna rises quickly and oscillates. During the fever, the face is red, radiating heat, and sweaty.
It is a drug that corresponds to the tetrad:
Growth: edema sensitive to the touch with sudden onset
Blushing: bright, intense redness, which can become deep red
Pain: pulsating
Heat: burning
It is also used for children when they have a fever. Symptoms are recurrent or repetitive and disappear suddenly.
Belladonna can be used for a fever with rapid onset which then oscillates, and is accompanied by sweating and short periods of depression alternating with periods of delirium. The patient has dry mucous membranes, flushing or warmth in the face, throbbing pain and/or cramping.
The cramps, like everything in the Belladonna condition, begin and end abruptly. The condition becomes worse with strong light, noise, touch and movement.
It is administered when a pathological condition appears suddenly and violently, such as:
- all acute fevers (regardless of origin), virus, bacteria, childhood illnesses, etc.
- all types of acute inflammation and congestion.
Belladonna is usually prescribed after Aconitum, when fever and sweating appear. It is associated with other Solanaceae plants used for the treatment of delirium and night terrors.
Comparisons and associations
Belladonna is an important medicine in homeopathy. It is widely used in pediatric conditions. It can be given to treat fever, burns and sleep disorders. However, there are some drugs that are very similar to the Belladonna toxicology. Care should be taken as to when to use Belladonna and when to use similar drugs. Examples:
For acute fever
Aconitum: given with acute congestive fever, the person does not sweat but is very agitated.
Gelsemium sempervirens: given with sudden and very high fever, strong prostration and depression, headache, heaviness, stiffness in the neck, no thirst.
For first-degree burns and heat stroke
Apis: given when there is a pink edema with intense pain that improves with cold.
For sleep disorders
In this case, Belladonna is usually associated with Hyosciamus 15 C and Stramonium 15 C in case of delirium or night terrors. It is better to leave the decision up to the homeopath.
Indications for Belladonna
Can be prescribed for all ailments ending in “-itis” (e.g. tonsillitis, otitis, conjunctivitis, pharyngitis). Also with febrile seizures, measles, scarlet fever, skin burns, migraines and smooth muscle spasms.