Belladona, A Poisonous Plant That Is Beneficial For Body Health

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JAKARTA - Most of you may not be so familiar with Belladonna. Yes. Despite its beautiful appearance, this plant is a deadly poisonous plant. But make no mistake. However, a number of studies have found many benefits of belladonna for the health of the body.

Belladonna, which has another name Atropa Belladonna or Nightshade, is a poisonous shrub native to Asia and Europe. This plant produces black berries that are not edible.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NHS), as reported by Winnetnews, Monday, August 9, belladonna is not safe to consume directly. Eating the fruit or leaves of this plant can cause death. Direct skin contact with the leaves can cause allergic reactions and red skin rashes. That's why in ancient times, the sap of this plant was often used as a poison that was applied to the tip of an arrow.

Along with the development of the modern medical world, this shrub plant began to be processed into cosmetic and medicinal products. For example, just as an antiseptic liquid for doctors before surgery and eye drops to widen your eyes.

How come, isn't Belladona a deadly plant? Yes, so that belladonna can be safely used, this plant must go through a complicated process first to get certain chemical compounds before being used as medicine.

The important chemical compounds are scopolamine and atropine. Scopolamine serves to reduce the secretion of several organs of the body. It also helps reduce nausea and vomiting due to acid reflux. In addition, scopolamine functions to control heart rate and relax muscles.

Atropine is similar to scopolamine. Atropine is equally used to reduce organ secretions. However, it is not as effective as scopolamine when used to stretch muscles and control heart rate. Atropine is also used as an ingredient in eye drops to widen the eyes. In some cases, atropine works as an insect repellent or insecticide.

The combination of these two chemicals when combined with other drugs can treat several health problems, especially digestive problems such as stomach and intestinal cramps, bladder problems, and bile ducts.

According to several studies that have been conducted, if used under the supervision of a doctor, belladonna can treat various health problems ranging from excessive urination at night to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Scopolamine acts directly on the central nervous system to create a calming effect in the stomach and intestines.

The combination of atropine and scopolamine in Belladona is also useful in controlling conditions such as colitis, diverticulitis, infant colic, renal and biliary colic, peptic ulcers, skin irritation redness, to the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This drug can even be used to prevent motion sickness.

When taken as prescribed medication and under the supervision of a doctor, belladonna is considered safe. Always consult with your doctor before using medicines that contain belladonna.