Belladonna: The Acute Inflammatory Fever Remedy

What Is Belladonna?

Belladonna is a homeopathic remedy prepared from the deadly nightshade plant (Atropa belladonna), one of the most toxic plants in the European flora. Its alkaloids — atropine, hyoscine, and hyoscyamine — act powerfully on the autonomic nervous system, producing the dry, hot, red, and delirious state that characterises the proving and the therapeutic indications. Farrington, Clarke, and Allen all give extensive accounts of Belladonna as one of the most indispensable acute remedies in the materia medica.

Key Characteristics

• Sudden, violent onset — illness erupts within hours, reaching its peak rapidly
• Burning, dry heat — the skin radiates heat; the head is scorching while the extremities may be cold
• A bright red, flushed face with throbbing carotids — the head feels as if it will burst
• Dilated pupils and photophobia — the eyes are bright, staring, and sensitive to light
• Throbbing pain anywhere — head, throat, ear, breast — beating with every heartbeat
• High fever with dryness — no perspiration despite the intense heat
• Delirium — vivid, frightening hallucinations with restlessness, biting, and striking out

Mental Picture

Farrington describes the Belladonna mental picture as one of the most vivid in the materia medica: violent delirium with frightening hallucinations — the patient sees monsters, ghosts, and terrifying faces. The delirium is active — the patient may try to escape, strike, bite, or scream. Between the paroxysms there may be periods of relative calm. Clarke and Allen both note the photophobia and the staring, glassy quality of the eyes in the delirious state. In children, the febrile delirium is a primary indication.

Physical Picture

The physical picture is the complete inflammatory triad: burning heat, redness, and throbbing. The face is scarlet and radiant. The pulse is full, bounding, and rapid. The head throbs with every heartbeat. The throat is bright red and swollen — Belladonna is one of the primary acute remedies for scarlet fever and acute tonsillitis. The skin is dry despite the heat. Everything is worse from light, noise, jarring, and motion. Lying down and in the dark brings partial relief.