PDR for Herbal Medicines

88/BITTERSWEET NIGHTSHADE PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Bittersweet Nightshade

Solanum dulcamara

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the stem of the plant

Flower and Fruit: The violet flowers are arranged in 10 to

20 blossomed, long-peduncled and hanging, panicle-like

forms. The calyx is fused, 5-tipped and does not drop. The

corolla has a very short tube and 5 long tips, which become

revolute when mature. At the base of each tip, there are 2

green spots surrounded by white. There are 5 stamens with

golden yellow anthers, which lean toward each other, and 1

superior ovary. The fruit is an oblong, scarlet and many-

seeded berry.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a subshrub from 30 to

150 cm in height with a creeping, branched rhizome. The

stem is twining or creeping, woody below, angular and

usually glabrous. The leaves are petiolate, the upper and

lower ones are usually cordate and acute. The middle leaves

are usually pinnatesect with 1 pair of lateral segments and a

large terminal segment.

Habitat: The plant is common in Europe, northern Africa,

eastern and western Asia, and North America.

Production: Bittersweet Nightshade consists of the dried, 2-

to 3-year-old stems of Solanum dulcamara harvested in

spring prior to leafing, or late autumn after the leaves have

dropped.

Other Names: Bittersweet, Dulcamara, Felonwort, Felon-

wood, Scarlet Berry, Violet Bloom, Blue Nightshade, Fever

Twig, Nightshade, Woody, Staff Vine

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Steroid alkaloid glycosides: (0.07 to 0.4%) the alkaloid

spectrum varies widely with the variety

Tomatidenol variety—alpha-solamarine, beta-solamarine

Soladulcidine variety—soladulcidinetetraoside

Solasodine variety—solasonine, solamargine

Steroid saponins

Mixed varieties also occur.

EFFECTS
The main active principles are the steroid alkaloid glycosides
whose resorption is probably promoted by the saponins.
They stimulate phagocytosis, are hemolytic, cytotoxic,
antiviral, anticholinergic and have local anaesthetic
properties.

Solasodin has a cortisone-like effect. A desensitizing and

cardiotonic effect has been observed in clinical trials with

patients suffering from rheumatic polyarthritis.

Its use as an expectorant may be due to the saponin content.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Eczema


• Furuncles


• Acne


• Warts

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, Bittersweet Nightshade is

used internally for nose bleeds, rheumatic conditions, asthma

and bronchitis, and to stimulate the immune system;

externally for herpes, eczema, abscesses and contusions.

Homeopathic Uses: Solanum dulcamara is used for inflam-

mation of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, the joints

and skin, and for febrile infections. Efficacy has not been

proven.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Bittersweet Nightshade is contraindicated in pregnancy and

nursing mothers.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

Toxic effects should not be seen in dosages under approxi-

mately 25 gm due to the low alkaloid content of the stem.

OVERDOSAGE

Poisonings among children are known through the unripe

berries. More than 10 berries cause nausea, vomiting, dilated

pupils and diarrhea. Lethal dosage is estimated to be 200

berries.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb is used in teas

and other galenic preparations for internal use. The drug is

also used externally in compresses and rinses.

Preparation: A decoction is prepared by adding 1 to 2 g of

drug to 250 ml water.

Daily Dosage: The average daily internal dose is 1 to 3 gm

of the drug. Externally, the herb is used as infusions or

decoctions that have strengths equivalent to 1 to 2 gm of the

drug per 250 ml of water.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every

30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times a day (chronic);

parenterally: 1 to 2 ml, sc, acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once

a day (HAB1)