Belladonna for Insomnia?
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Rhiannon
Posted on: July 8, 2000

I am fairly new to herbal practices and uses. I have a friend that says belladonna is good for insomnia. Is this true? If so, how often do you use it and how much?

Belladonna, common name Deadly Nightshade, contains alkaloids that are dangerous in an overdose, which is very close to the therapeutic dose. Belladonna is recommended for use by knowledgeable practitioners only. Side effects are dry mouth, difficulty in swallowing, dilation of pupils, heart acceleration, restlessness, halucinations, delerium and coma.

Belladonna is used therapeutically to calm spasms in asthma, and in colic of the intestines, bladder or urinary tubules. It is also used in Parkinson’s disease to reduce tremor.

Back to Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses | Q & A Index

Copyright © 1997-2024 Otto Richter and Sons Limited. All rights reserved.