botanical name(s): Solanum dulcamara, Solanum carolinense
synonyms: bittersweet, woody nightshade, violet bloom, dulcamara
part(s) used: twigs, root bark
qualities: bitter, sweet, cold
affinities: connective tissue
actions: narcotic, resolvent, diuretic
dosage:
» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.
» decoction: 1 - 2 tsp. herb to 1 cup water (Weiss, p. 264)
therapy: rheumatism, obstinate cutaneous eruptions, scrofula
toxicity: 3; see steroidal glycoside toxidrome
» treatment of overdose: Physostigmine 2 mg I.V., cold water hydrotherapy, cool drinks to reduce the dryness of the mouth, administration of ophthalmic solution containing 1% or less Pilocarpine (Ellis, p. 65)
» caution is advised during pregnancy, or before a preplanned pregnancy; the steroidal alkaloids contained in Solanum spp. are potentially teratogenic, especially during the first trimester (Keeler and Tu, pp. 176-177; Kingsbury)
» Solanum carolinense has been reported to cause a contact dermatitis; its epidermal needles can be physically and chemically irritating (AMA, p. 195)
constituents: steroidal alkaloids, gum, starch, resin
footnotes
Ellis, M.D. 1975. Dangerous Plants, Snakes, Arthropods, And Marine Life. Hamilton, IL: Drug Intelligence Publications, Inc.
Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.
Kingsbury, J.M. 1964. Poisonous Plants of the United States and Canada. New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Lampe, K.F., and McAnn, M.A. 1985. AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants. Chicago: American Medical Association.
Weiss, R.F. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum; Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd.