title: "Historical Belladonna Tincture and Extract Preparations"
Historical Belladonna Tincture and Extract Preparations
Remedy Dossier Panel
- Canonical Title: Historical Belladonna Tincture and Extract Preparations
- Standardized Name: Belladonna / Deadly Nightshade
- Scientific Name: Atropa belladonna
- Historical Establishment: ★★★★★ (Highly attested in major dispensatories)
- Source Count: 5+ independent sources
- Risk Level: EXTREME-HISTORY-ONLY
- Chemistry Available: YES (Tropane Alkaloids)
- Canonical ID: canon_belladonna_nexus
Important Historical Use Disclaimer
EXTREME DANGER WARNING: Belladonna is highly toxic. This document is for historical and educational documentation of early medical practice only. It is explicitly not medical advice. The preparations described herein—tinctures, extracts, and plasters—contain lethal tropane alkaloids. Do not attempt to synthesize, ingest, or apply these formulations. Historical "heroic" dosing often led to fatal poisoning.
Plain-English Summary
The historical record of Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) in 19th-century medicine is extensive, particularly within the Eclectic tradition. Unlike modern "specific medical interventions," Belladonna was treated with extreme respect as a potent narcotic, antispasmodic, and sedative. This dossier replaces previous imprecise classifications, documenting the transition from crude alcoholic tinctures to standardized pharmaceutical alkaloids like Atropine.
Identity, Old Names, And Standard Names
| Term | Modern Standardized Name | Scientific / Chemical Identity | Confidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belladonna | Belladonna | Atropa belladonna | High | Common name "Deadly Nightshade." |
| Extractum Belladonnae | Belladonna Extract | Alcoholic concentration of leaves/root | High | Standard apothecary term. |
| Tinctura Belladonnae | Belladonna Tincture | 10-15% alcohol solution | High | Used for systemic administration. |
| Atropia | Atropine | C17H23NO3 | High | The primary isolated alkaloid. |
Historical Formula
The primary historical preparation utilized maceration of the dried leaves or root in high-proof alcohol (95% ethanol) for 7 to 14 days.
Source: King's American Dispensatory (1898)
"Tincture of Belladonna Leaves.—Take of Belladonna Leaves, in No. 60 powder, one hundred and fifty grammes (150 Gm.); Alcohol and Water, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.)."
Modern Measurement Conversion
| Original Measure | Modern Readable Measure | Confidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 grammes | 150 grams | Exact | Metric adoption in late 19th century pharmacy. |
| 1000 cubic centimeters | 1 liter | Exact | Standard liquid volume. |
| 1/4 to 1 grain (Extract) | 16 mg to 65 mg | High | Apothecary weight conversion. |
Historical Dose Information And Modern Dose Context
- Historical Source Dose: 1 to 15 drops of Tincture; 1/4 to 1 grain of Alcoholic Extract.
- Modern Converted Reading: Potentially lethal without precise titration.
- Dose Uncertainty: High. Natural variation in plant alkaloid content meant that one "drop" could contain twice the lethal limit of another.
WARNING: Modern medicine does not use crude belladonna preparations. Only standardized, lab-titrated atropine or scopolamine are utilized in clinical settings.
From Ingredients To Finished Product
- Gather: Harvest Belladonna leaves during the flowering period or roots in the autumn of the second year.
- Prepare: Dry carefully and grind to a fine powder (No. 60 mesh).
- Combine: Moisten with alcohol and pack into a percolator.
- Process: Drip alcohol through the material until the desired volume is reached (Percolation).
- Finish: Store in amber glass. The result is a dark, heavy liquid containing concentrated tropane alkaloids.
Source Variants Across Books
| Source | Original Name | Ingredients | Process Difference | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King's American Dispensatory | Tinctura Belladonnae | Leaves, Alcohol | Percolation method | Read |
| Mother's Remedies | Belladonna Tincture | Leaves, Spirit | Simple maceration | Read |
| Culpeper's Herbal | Deadly Nightshade | Whole herb | Humoral/Astrological use | Read |
Chemistry / Active Constituents
Major Constituents: Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Scopolamine (L-Hyoscine).
Molecular Profile
| Molecule | SMILES | Formula | Weight | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atropine | C17H23NO3 |
C17H23NO3 | 289.37 | Competitive muscarinic antagonist |
| Scopolamine | C17H21NO4 |
C17H21NO4 | 303.35 | CNS depressant / motion sickness |
Pharmacology: Tropane alkaloids block acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors. This results in the "drying" of secretions, dilation of the pupils (mydriasis), and relaxation of smooth muscle.
Side Effects And Adverse Reactions
Toxicity symptoms include: - Dry mouth and extreme thirst - Dilation of pupils and blurred vision - Tachycardia (Rapid heart rate) - Confusion and vivid hallucinations ("Belladonna madness") - Urinary retention - Seizures, coma, and respiratory failure.
Pertinent Law, Regulation, And Status
- U.S. Federal Status: Regulated toxic botanical. Individual alkaloids (Atropine) are Prescription Only.
- Regulatory Notes: The FDA has previously issued warnings against belladonna in homeopathic teething products due to inconsistent concentrations.
Current Research And Efficacy
While the historical "specific medical intervention" usage was a dangerous misclassification, modern research confirms the extreme efficacy of isolated Belladonna alkaloids in specific medical emergencies, such as organophosphate poisoning and bradycardia. Crude plant preparations are considered too dangerous for modern therapeutic use.
What Replaced This In Modern Western Medicine
- Standardized Atropine: Used for heart rate control and as an antidote.
- Oxybutynin / Solifenacin: Modern synthetic antispasmodics for bladder control.
- Scopolamine Patches: For motion sickness and post-operative nausea.
Farm / Household / Animal Relevance
Poisonous Plant Hazard: Belladonna is a significant pasture hazard. While livestock usually avoid it due to its bitter taste, ingestion leads to acute "Nightshade Poisoning." This is not a veterinary remedy and is a recognized farmstead bio-hazard.
Bibliography / Source Links
- King's American Dispensatory (1898).
- United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) historical editions.
- Modern Botanical Safety Handbook, 2nd Ed.
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