Belladonna

Botanical

What is it

Belladonna, or deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), is a highly toxic plant containing the tropane alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. It is the source of important prescription medicines but is not appropriate for self-administered supplement use.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

GI spasm, eye exams, premedication (medical use)

Strong Evidence

Purified belladonna alkaloids are established prescription medications under controlled dosing.

How it works

The active alkaloids are competitive antagonists at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, producing anticholinergic effects: dilated pupils, dry mouth, reduced GI motility, urinary retention, tachycardia, and in higher doses delirium, hallucinations, and respiratory failure. Purified atropine and hyoscyamine are tightly dose-controlled prescription drugs. Homeopathic belladonna preparations are highly diluted and contain little or no measurable alkaloid; their effects are not pharmacological.

Dosage

There is no safe self-administered dose. Medical uses of belladonna alkaloids are dosed precisely by clinicians.

When and how to take it

Not appropriate for self-administered timing recommendations.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Whole or extract belladonna

Not recommended for self-administered use.

Highly variable alkaloid content

Homeopathic dilutions

Even highly diluted forms can be unsafe if quality is inconsistent.

No measurable active compound at high dilutions

Safety

Belladonna is acutely toxic. Severe poisonings and deaths have occurred from accidental ingestion, including in children attracted to its black berries. Homeopathic teething products marketed for infants caused harm in past US recalls due to inconsistent alkaloid content.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in essentially everyone for OTC use. Specifically avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, the elderly, and in glaucoma, prostate enlargement, GI or urinary obstruction, and heart disease.

Interactions

Severe additive effects with other anticholinergics (tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, antiparkinson drugs) and central nervous system depressants. Reduced gut motility can affect absorption of other drugs.

Frequently asked questions

Is belladonna safe as a homeopathic remedy?⌄

Highly diluted preparations contain little or no active alkaloid, but past quality issues caused harm. Safety depends entirely on rigorous manufacturing standards.

Can I use belladonna for migraines?⌄

Self-administration is not safe. Anticholinergic medications used for migraine or GI symptoms are dosed by clinicians.

References

Belladonna on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Belladonna (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Belladonna with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store
Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.