Belladonna Herb
- Chinese
- 颠茄草
- Pinyin
- Dian Qie Cao
- Latin
- Belladonnae Herba
Known in TCM as Dian Qie Cao (颠茄草), this bitter and acrid, warm herb enters the Heart, Liver, Stomach, and Large Intestine. Traditionally, it relieves spasm and alleviates pain - used mainly for gastrointestinal, biliary, and other smooth-muscle cramping patterns where urgent antispasmodic action is needed rather than long-term constitutional treatment, most often applied for nausea, gastric ulcer, and abdominal pain. Modern research has identified Atropine among its active constituents.
Part used: Whole herb
Also Known As
Latin: Belladonnae Herba | Pinyin: Dian Qie Cao | Chinese: 颠茄草
TCM Properties
- Taste
- bitter, acrid
- Temperature
- warm
- Channels
- Heart, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Relieves spasm and alleviates pain - used mainly for gastrointestinal, biliary, and other smooth-muscle cramping patterns where urgent antispasmodic action is needed rather than long-term constitutional treatment.
- Restrains excessive secretions - applied for salivation, hypersecretory digestive states, and related nausea-vomiting patterns when anticholinergic drying is therapeutically desired.
- Targets ulcer-related and colicky pain - modern Chinese use centers on gastric or duodenal ulcer discomfort, abdominal spasm, and cholecystalgia rather than broad classical pattern treatment.
- Functions chiefly through prepared products - Dian Qie Cao is most often prescribed as extract, tincture, or tablet because the raw herb is strongly toxic and requires precise dosing.
Secondary Actions
- Unlike most long-established Chinese materia medica entries, Dian Qie Cao is a comparatively modern toxic pharmacopoeial import derived from European belladonna and integrated into Chinese drug manufacturing practice.
- Its role in current use is narrower and more pharmaceutical than typical decoction herbs, with standardized preparations favored over loose raw-herb dispensing.
Classic Formulas
- Dian Qie Ding (颠茄酊) - belladonna tincture prepared from the herb for smooth-muscle spasm and secretion control, representing a classic manufactured dosage form rather than a decoction formula.
- Fu Fang Dian Qie Pian (复方颠茄片) - compound belladonna tablets used in modern Chinese practice for gastrointestinal spasm, ulcer-associated discomfort, and secretion reduction.
Classical References
- TCM Wiki summarizes Dian Qie Cao's core actions as calming spasm to relieve pain and restraining secretion, with indications including nausea, vomiting, cholecystalgia, salivation, and gastric or duodenal ulcer.
- Chinese pharmacopoeia-oriented summaries describe the herb as slightly bitter and acrid, warm, and toxic, and emphasize that it is used sparingly in raw-prescription practice because measured alkaloid preparations are safer and more practical.
- IMPORT NOTE: This is not a mainstream ancient decoction herb. It is a modern toxic materia medica entry based on Atropa belladonna and should be understood as a standardized spasmolytic drug herb rather than a broadly applied classical tonic or exterior-releasing medicinal.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Atropine (tropane alkaloid) - classic anticholinergic marker responsible for secretion suppression, smooth-muscle relaxation, and much of the herb's toxicity profile
- L-hyoscyamine (tropane alkaloid) - major naturally occurring belladonna alkaloid with potent muscarinic-receptor antagonism
- Scopolamine or hyoscine (tropane alkaloid) - contributes central sedative, antiemetic, and antispasmodic effects alongside significant neurotoxicity risk
- Minor tropane alkaloids and related esters (alkaloid fraction) - contribute to the broader pharmacologic and toxic behavior of whole-herb extracts
Studied Effects
- Belladonna's therapeutic identity is now understood mainly through tropane-alkaloid pharmacology - reviews of the class summarize antiemetic, antispasmodic, bronchodilating, ophthalmic, and secretion-inhibiting effects for hyoscyamine- and scopolamine-rich plants such as Atropa belladonna (PMID 30813289)
- Whole-herb anticholinergic activity may exceed isolated-atropine expectations - a comparative study found belladonna tincture showed stronger biologic activity than its measured alkaloid content alone would predict (PMID 3247352)
- Toxicity remains a defining modern research theme - recent case literature continues to document delirium, mydriasis, tachycardia, and severe anticholinergic neurotoxicity after belladonna exposure (PMID 39364183)
- Lactation and secretion effects remain clinically relevant - LactMed notes belladonna alkaloids such as atropine and scopolamine can reduce milk production with prolonged use, reflecting the same secretion-suppressing pharmacology valued therapeutically (PMID 30000920)
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Glaucoma
- Gastrointestinal obstruction, paralytic ileus, or severe constipation
- Urinary retention or obstructive uropathy
- Tachyarrhythmia and unstable heat-agitated presentations
Cautions
- Belladonna is a high-risk toxic herb containing potent tropane alkaloids; overdose can cause severe anticholinergic syndrome with dry mouth, mydriasis, delirium, tachycardia, hyperthermia, and hallucinations
- Children, frail older adults, and patients sensitive to anticholinergic drugs are at especially high risk from even modest dosing errors
- Traditional and modern sources both stress the need for manufactured, measured preparations rather than casual raw-herb use
- MSK page not found - drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database
Conditions
- Nausea Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
- Gastric Ulcer Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Abdominal Pain Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Belladonna Herb used for?
Belladonna Herb is traditionally used to Relieves spasm and alleviates pain - used mainly for gastrointestinal, biliary, and other smooth-muscle cramping patterns where urgent antispasmodic action is needed rather than long-term constitutional treatment., Restrains excessive secretions - applied for salivation, hypersecretory digestive states, and related nausea-vomiting patterns when anticholinergic drying is therapeutically desired., Targets ulcer-related and colicky pain - modern Chinese use centers on gastric or duodenal ulcer discomfort, abdominal spasm, and cholecystalgia rather than broad classical pattern treatment., Functions chiefly through prepared products - Dian Qie Cao is most often prescribed as extract, tincture, or tablet because the raw herb is strongly toxic and requires precise dosing.. Research has investigated its effects on: Belladonna's therapeutic identity is now understood mainly through tropane-alkaloid pharmacology - reviews of the class summarize antiemetic, antispasmodic, bronchodilating, ophthalmic, and secretion-inhibiting effects for hyoscyamine- and scopolamine-rich plants such as Atropa belladonna (PMID 30813289); Whole-herb anticholinergic activity may exceed isolated-atropine expectations - a comparative study found belladonna tincture showed stronger biologic activity than its measured alkaloid content alone would predict (PMID 3247352).
What are other names for Belladonna Herb?
Belladonna Herb is also known as Belladonna. In TCM: 颠茄草 (Dian Qie Cao); Belladonnae Herba.
Is Belladonna Herb safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Belladonna Herb during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Belladonna Herb?
Belladonna Herb should not be used in: Glaucoma; Gastrointestinal obstruction, paralytic ileus, or severe constipation; Urinary retention or obstructive uropathy; Tachyarrhythmia and unstable heat-agitated presentations. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.