Uses for the Belladonna Herb

Uses for the Belladonna Herb
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If you are looking to treat a minor health ailment or add a dietary supplement to your health regimen, then you should consider belladonna herb as an option. Available in many forms, including pills, powders and even liquid extract, belladonna herb can be found in most local supermarkets and drugstores. With very few documented side effects, belladonna herb can be used as a daily supplement, according to the University of Michigan Health System.

Herbal Suppository

One of the most common uses of belladonna herb is for treatment of digestive disorders in the form of a suppository. According to the University of Michigan Health System, belladonna herb has often been prescribed along with opium for the purpose of relaxing the rectal muscles in the lower digestive system to aid in excreting waste. However, one of the minor drawbacks regarding belladonna as a suppository is the fact that you can only obtain the medication with a prescription from a medical doctor. Nevertheless, UMHS states that belladonna herb suppositories are safe enough to take up to three times a day for maximum benefit. However, when taken along with opium additives, you should be aware of the possibility of addiction to the drug as UMHS suggests.

Pain Relief

Another use that belladonna herb offers to the supplement user is its ability to relieve pain in most patients. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, belladonna and opium supplements can also be found in pain-relieving capsules similar to aspirin or ibuprofen. Due to the addictive nature of opium as an additive to belladonna-based supplements, these medications are also only available to the patient via prescription. Similar pain-relieving qualities can be seen in the digestive tract when belladonna is used as a suppository.

Bowel Incontinence

While the herb is often used in conjunction with opium to serve as a promoter of bowel movements, belladonna can also be used as an anti-diarrheal when used with other herbs. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, belladonna herb can be used to help treat fecal incontinence along with other therapies in order to retrain a patient on proper waste excretion, especially due to aging or following a surgical procedure.

References

Article reviewed by Christine Brncik Last updated on: Jun 8, 2010

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