Belladonna is one of those words that are fun to say with a big, exaggerated Italian accent! It means “beautiful lady,” and in fact, it was actually used as a beauty aid long ago. Women would put drops into their eyes to dilate their pupils and achieve a glassy stare they considered beautiful and seductive. Considering that belladonna’s other name is deadly nightshade, the practice definitely wasn’t particularly safe!
Belladonna is a plant native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Its primary constituent is atropine, a chemical that interferes with the nervous system. Side effects can include enlarged pupils, blurred vision, red, dry skin, delirium, agitation, and convulsions.
Ancient uses for belladonna were rich and varied, and it’s known to be used as far back as ancient Sumeria! Magic potions, aphrodisiacs, and even medicines used to treat illnesses attributed to demons had belladonna as an ingredient. And of course, we know it was also used in poisonings and suicides. It was often a plant associated with the devil, but not all customs were used for ill. There was at least one Eastern European digging ritual that revolved around love. A man interested in gaining the favor of a particular woman would find and dig up a belladonna plant, leaving offerings in the hole for the plant spirit.
Here’s an excerpt from David Little’s Homeopathic Compendium describing the images and archetypes of belladonna:
“Atropos, the cutter of the thread of life; witches, warlocks, the coven; Circe, the sirens and the femme fatale; the possessed Daughter; the frenzied Amazon; the enchantress Priestess; the delirious Son; the berserk Hero; the bellicose Warrior; the sorcerer Wise Man; Dionysian revelry; ritual dancing in the moonlight; animal transformations and forms; the maniac.”
The Latin name Atropa is derived from the Greek goddess of death, Atropos. She was one of the three Fates and it was Atropos’s job to cut the thread of life. Belladonna was also associated with an ancient Roman goddess of war named Bellona. Her festival was celebrated on June third and her priests would drink an infusion of the plant during worship.
Thankfully, we have a way to harness belladonna’s properties for good! It’s one of homeopathy’s most important remedies, especially for acute conditions that come on suddenly. Fever, headache, and ear infections are just a few conditions that may be helped by belladonna. Like all other homeopathic remedies, the symptoms expressed by the sick individual are similar to the symptoms that arise from in-taking a material dose. Belladonna is a great remedy for acute inflammation. Redness, throbbing, heat, and great sensitivity are all hallmarks of the remedy.
I hope you enjoyed learning some of the mystery and history of belladonna. If you’d like to see some of the other plants I’ve covered in this series, you can find them here:
Bene vale!
Christina
Information obtained in part from:
The Homeopathic Compendium Vol VI – Materia Medica of Psyche & Soma – David Little
A Dictionary of Sacred and Magical Plants – Dr. Christian Ratsch
