Solanum nigrum
 Solanum nigrum/1) Solanum nigrum.jpg "Solanum nigrum, Solanaceae, Solanine (alkaloid, highly concentrated in the leaves), strychnine, uric acid")
 Solanum nigrum/2) Solanum nigrum.jpg "Solanum nigrum, Solanaceae, Solanine (alkaloid, highly concentrated in the leaves), strychnine, uric acid")
 Solanum nigrum/3) Solanum nigrum.jpg "Solanum nigrum, Solanaceae, Solanine (alkaloid, highly concentrated in the leaves), strychnine, uric acid")
 Solanum nigrum/4) Solanum nigrum.jpg "Solanum nigrum, Solanaceae, Solanine (alkaloid, highly concentrated in the leaves), strychnine, uric acid")
 Solanum nigrum/5) Solanum nigrum.jpg "Solanum nigrum, Solanaceae, Solanine (alkaloid, highly concentrated in the leaves), strychnine, uric acid")
 Solanum nigrum/6) Solanum nigrum.jpg "Solanum nigrum, Solanaceae, Solanine (alkaloid, highly concentrated in the leaves), strychnine, uric acid")
 Solanum nigrum/7 ) Solanum nigrum.jpg "Solanum nigrum, Solanaceae, Solanine (alkaloid, highly concentrated in the leaves), strychnine, uric acid")
| Botanical Nomenclature | Solanum nigrum |
| Common Name | Black Nightshade, Duscle, Garden Huckleberry, Garden Nightshade, Hound's Berry, Petty Morel, Popolo, Wonder Berry |
| Taxonomy- Family | Solanaceae |
| Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Solanum nigrum is an annual, herbaceous plant growing from 10 to 30cm, with oval, wavy, opposite leaves. Every inflorescence consists from three to five flowers, which have white petals and yellow anthers. The flowering lasts from July to October and the harvesting takes place early in the autumn. |
| Region Found | Epirus |
| Part of the Plant with Active Substances | The whole plant |
| Active Substances | Solanine (alkaloid, highly concentrated in the leaves), strychnine, uric acid |
| Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has anti-inflammatory, emollient, narcotic, analgesic, sudorific, healing and soothing properties. Also, it is applied externally as poultice for the treatment of various skin problems as inflammation, lichens, pain, pruritus (itching) and bruises. The herbal tea has diuretic properties and is reccomended for the treatment of hypertension and atherosclerosis. Finally, in homeopathy the herbal infusion is used against nerve impulses, muscle contraction and epilepsy. |
| Method of Administration | The plant is administered in the form of herbal tea (50g of dried herb in a 1L of boiled water, 2-3 times a day), poultice and essential oil (1: 2 parts of dried leaves' extract and oil-base) which is applied externally (rubbing). Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
| Toxicity- Adverse Effects | Fresh leaves are poisonous |
| References | 1)Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδα 50, 2) http://naturalhomeremedies.co/Snigrum.html 3)http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/16/1/78.pdf 4)http://herbs.indianmedicinalplants.info/index.php/65-solanum-nigrum-black-nightshade-kakamanchi 5)http://www.phcogrev.com/article.asp?issn=0973-7847;year=2009;volume=3;issue=6;spage=342;epage=345;aulast=Mohamed 6)http://www.alwaysayurveda.com/solanum-nigrum/ |