Bittersweet nightshade, also known as Solanum dulcamara, is a member of the nightshade family and is toxic due to its alkaloid content. Nevertheless, parts of bittersweet nightshade are used medicinally to treat chronic eczema.
Occurrence and cultivation of bittersweet nightshade.
Solanum dulcamara is a poisonous semishrub found throughout most of Europe, in North America, and in Asia. Bittersweet nightshade is also popular as a garden ornamental plant. Solanum dulcamara is a poisonous semishrub found throughout most of Europe, in North America, and in Asia. Bittersweet nightshade is also popular as a garden ornamental plant. The plant prefers moist locations, such as on shores, by the sea, or in riparian forests. Bittersweet nightshade is a climbing plant that can spread up to ten meters. The plant reaches a maximum height of one meter. The leaves have a heart-shaped to egg-shaped form, are partly pinnate, but always alternate. Characteristic is the formation of terminal flowers. The blue-purple and sometimes even yellow showy flowers appear from June. The flowers then develop into spherical, sometimes elliptical berries from August, which grow to about 1.1 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters wide. When ripe, the berries are deep to scarlet in color. All plant parts of bittersweet nightshade contain toxic alkaloids, primarily saponins. Steroid alkaloids are plant nitrogen-containing steroids found primarily in plants of the nightshade family. Saponins are also called soap substances because they often foam like soap when combined with water.
Effect and application
Medicinally, almost exclusively the dried stems of the plant are used. These are also called Solani dulcamarae stipites or bittersweet stems. The stems are harvested in spring or fall from 2- to 3-year-old plants. Usually, the stems are then processed into medicines; sale of the dried stems is rather uncommon. A glycerol extract is often prepared from the stems. Numerous preparations containing an extract of bittersweet nightshade are available on the market. However, most of the preparations are not mono-preparations, but contain other herbal active ingredients in addition to bittersweet nightshade. The stems of bittersweet nightshade contain tannins, alkaloids and saponins. These ingredients have an astringent, i.e. astringent, effect on the skin and an anti-inflammatory effect. The saponins in particular also have an expectorant effect. Folk medicine also attributes to the plant an anti-allergic, calming, blood-cleansing, fever-reducing, narcotic and analgesic effect. According to these fields of action, bittersweet stalks and preparations with bittersweet stalks are mainly used in the treatment of chronic skin diseases and inflammations. They are also used in the treatment of allergies. A traditional use of the plant is also for colds. Although a blood purifying tea can be made from a teaspoon of bittersweet stalks poured over 250ml of boiling water, internal use is recommended only under medical supervision and with ready-made remedies containing a certain and controlled amount of active ingredient. However, poultices can also be made from the bittersweet stem tea. For this purpose, a cloth is soaked with the tea and applied to the affected areas. These compresses are said to be helpful for rashes, rheumatism and cellulite. The tea can also be used for ablutions. Bittersweet nightshade is also used in homeopathy. However, for homeopathic remedies, the young shoots and leaves are picked just before flowering, rather than the stems. In homeopathy, Dulcamara is typically used for conditions that are a result of wetness and cold or a result of a change in weather. Indications for Dulcamara in various potencies include colds, pneumonia, pain in the throat, headache, aching limbs, bronchitis, asthma, hay fever, diarrhea, and skin problems. Dulcamara can also be the remedy of choice for bladder infections, eye infections or earaches.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
Even the Romans used the bittersweet nightshade for healing purposes.In the Middle Ages, the plant was used mainly against skin diseases and gout. The famous herbalist Kneipp used bittersweet nightshade for detoxification. Today, the plant is used less frequently than it was back then, which is certainly due to its toxicity. Because of its toxicity, the plant should not be collected by itself. In too high concentration, the alkaloids cause the red blood cells to dissolve. Poisoning is manifested by symptoms such as scratching in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, convulsions and drowsiness. The serious risk of poisoning occurs after the ingestion of five to ten berries, but milder symptoms of poisoning can also be caused by eating the leaves and stems or tea infusions of the leaves and stems. Commission E, an expert commission that is part of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices in Germany, has positively monographed bittersweet stems. This means that there is scientific evidence that bittersweet stems have a positive effect on certain diseases, more precisely on chronic eczema. The experts of the Commission E recommend a maximum daily dose of 1-3g of dried drug. Infusions or decoctions should be made with 1-2g of drug to about 250ml of water. Also poultices and washes with extracts of bittersweet nightshade are considered helpful by the commission. It has been scientifically proven that bittersweet stems have astringent, antimicrobial and mucous membrane irritant (and thus expectorant) effects. In addition, the contained solasodin has an anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, despite the toxicity of the herb, therapy with bittersweet nightshade should be considered, especially for skin disorders, subject to certain precautions.
