Belladonnae folium

Belladonnae folium, also called deadly nightshade leaves, is a drug prepared from the dried leaves with or without the flowering branch tips, which is used in herbal medicines for various indications. It is used in herbal medicines for various indications.

Quality is specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC: Not edited

ESCOP: Not processed

Commission E-Monograph: Spasms and colicky pains of the gastrointestinal tract and biliary tract.

Due to the highly active alkaloids, a classification of belladonna leaves as a herbal traditional medicinal product in the sense of § 39a AMG is prohibited!

Belladonna leaves or their root contain between 0.3 and 2 % atropa alkaloids such as atropine (see also atropine sulphate), S-(-)-hyoscyamine and scopolamine, belladonnine, flavonoids and coumarins. The tropane alkaloids are responsible for the toxicity of the plant.

Belladonna leaves or their roots have an antispasmodic effect, especially in the area of the bile ducts and the gastrointestinal tract, accelerate the excitation conduction of the heart and increase its beat frequency. In addition, they suppress nausea and nausea.

According to the guidelines of Commission E for the treatment of nervous heart complaints, spasms and for colicky pain of the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract.

The mean single dose of Belladonnae pulvis normatus is between 0.05 and 0.1 g; the mean single dose of Belladonnae radix is 0.05 g; the mean single dose of Belladonna extract is 0.01 g.

In rare cases, micturition difficulties, heat accumulation, tachycardia, reddening or drying of the skin, dry mouth, hallucinations, a decrease in sweat gland secretion and cramps can occur.

In the case of existing mechanical stenoses in the gastrointestinal tract, tachycardic arrhythmias, a prostate adenoma with residual urine formation, acute pulmonary oedema, megacolon or narrow-angle glaucoma, it should not be taken.

Tricyclic antidepressants, amantadine and quinidine may increase the anticholinergic effect.

Drug and discontinued belladonna pulveer are no longer used therapeutically today. The use of isolated pure extracts is common. Prescriptions and ready-to-use drugs are subject to prescription.

1. Berdai MA et al. (2012) Atropa belladonna intoxication: a
2. case report. Pan Afr Med J 11:72.
3. Glatstein M et al (2014) Seizures caused by ingestion of Atropa belladonna in a homeopathic medicine in a previously well infant: case report and review of the literature. Am J Ther 21:e196-8.
4. Glatstein M et al (2016) Belladonna alkaloid intoxication: the 10-year experience of a large tertiary care pediatric hospital. Am J Ther 23:e74 77.
5. Mazzanti G et al. (1988)A comparative study of behavioral and autonomic effects of atropine and Atropa belladonna. Pharmacol Res Commun 20 Suppl 5:49-53.
6. Schilcher H (2016) In: Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich, pp. 321 f.
7. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/tollkirsche.php.