Evidence supporting the use of: Belladonna
For the health condition: Nausea and Vomiting

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna), also known as deadly nightshade, has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in European herbalism. Its active compounds, such as atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, have anticholinergic effects, which means they block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the nervous system. Historically, belladonna extracts and tinctures were used to treat various gastrointestinal complaints, including nausea, vomiting, and colic, due to their ability to relax smooth muscle and reduce secretions.

However, the evidence for belladonna’s effectiveness in treating nausea and vomiting is almost entirely anecdotal or based on historical use. There are no robust clinical trials validating its use in this context. While scopolamine, a compound found in belladonna, is used in modern medicine (e.g., in transdermal patches for motion sickness), these pharmaceutical preparations use purified and standardized doses, not crude belladonna extracts. The use of whole belladonna plant preparations is risky due to the plant's high toxicity and narrow therapeutic window. In summary, while traditional use exists, scientific evidence for belladonna as a treatment for nausea and vomiting is minimal, and modern medical practice does not recommend belladonna itself for this indication.

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