Black Nightshade

Latin name:  Solanum nigrum Linn. (Solanaceae)

Sanskrit/Indian name: Kakamachi, Kakahva, Makoi

General information:

In early Ayurvedic texts, Black Nightshade has been mentioned as an important ingredient in herbal heart medications.  It was also used by the Greeks as a topical treatment for inflammation.

The plant is effective in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Black Nightshade is also credited with emollient, diuretic, antiseptic and laxative properties.

Therapeutic constituents:

The berries contain steroidal alkaloid glycosides, solasonine, alpha and beta-solanigrine, and alpha- and beta-solamargine. It also contains the steroidal sapogenins diosgenin and tigogenin and solasodine and solasodine. All of these properties combine to render the herb its therapeutic properties.

Key therapeutic benefits:

• The extract of Black Nightshade is effective in treating liver cirrhosis.
• The herb is helpful in alleviating stomach ailments and is a diuretic.
  

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