Black Nightshade

Description
Black nightshade is a short-lived perennial herb that is native to Eurasia. Its erect, angular, branching stem grows 1 to 2 feet high and may be glabrous or covered with inward-bent hair. The leaves are alternate, dark-green, ovate, and wavy-toothed or nearly entire. Its fruit is a many-seeded, pea-sized, purple or black berry. The herb has been used in early Ayurvedic practices, when it was combined with other ingredients to make herbal medicine for heart disease. Early Ayurveda had also stated that the berries from the plant could be eaten safely, though they are now believed to be poisonous. The herb seems to have been only used by the Greeks on inflamed parts, as a local application.
Uses & Benefits of Black Nightshade

• The juice of black nightshade is sometimes used to treat fever and alleviate pain.
• Its fruit is used as a cosmetic; as rubbing its seeds on the cheeks helps remove freckles. Children extensively eat the mature fruit. It has been used for diabetes as well.
• The boiled extracts of its leaves and fruits are used to alleviate the discomfort caused by liver-related ailments, even in jaundice.
• The leaves of black nightshade plant strongly promote perspiration, when ingested in small amounts. They work to purge the bowels the next day.
• The juice of the herb or an ointment prepared from it is externally applied to cure certain skin problems and tumors.
• A decoction of the stalk, leaves, and roots of black nightshade is beneficial for wounds and cancerous sores.
• Its berries are poisonous, but boiling them is believed to destroy the toxic substances and make them safe to be used for preserves, jams, and pies.
• An infusion of the plant is used as an enema in infants suffering from abdominal upsets.
• Freshly prepared extract of the plant is effective in treating cirrhosis of the liver and also works as an antidote to poisoning by opium.

Benefits of Black Nightshade Juice

The juice from the plant was used by the ancient Arab physicians for burns and ulcers, and the fresh, bruised leaves eased the pain of inflammation in such ailments as gout, and rheumatism. The juice has been used for ringworm, gout and with vinegar for earache.

The plant grows to about 2 feet tall and can have a foot spread, with the flowers appearing from July to September, giving way to berries in autumn which begin green and then turn black when ripe. The whole plant is harvested in autumn and dried for later use.

In Asia the plant has been used to treat intermittent fevers such as malaria, and to reduce inflammation. It promotes sweating too and is used as a diuretic and to moisture and soften the roughest of skin. It also has sedative and narcotic properties and is a purgative.

Leaves and Roots Benefits

  The leaves, stems and roots can be applied externally as a poultice or used as a wash for skin problems. Extracts from the plant have been shown to have anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. The juice of the fruit has been used to stop the pain of toothache, and analgesic ointments are made from the plant which are applied locally. In Ayurvedic medicine it is used in combination with other herbs for heart diseases. In Iran it has been used for centuries as a diuretic, while the ancient Greeks used it to reduce inflammation, externally. It has also been used in remedies for cirrhosis of the liver as an antiseptic (juice from the leaves and fruit) and as a laxative- but don’t be tempted to use it- try senna instead! The plant IS poisonous except in Asia, parts of Africa and Indonesia where it is used as food.