Botanical Name: Solanum dulcamara

A.K.A (Common Names): Bitter Nightshade, European Bittersweet, Nightshade Garden, Bittersweet, Bittersweet Nightshade Or Twigs, Wood Nightshade, Wolf Grape

Bittersweet is used mainly as an alterative internally for eruptic skin diseases and ulcers including eczema, itchiness, psoriasis and warts. Externally a decoction of the twigs, applied as a wash, may also help to lessen the severity of these conditions. It has a very cool energy and is useful for most inflammatory conditions, including ulcerative colitis and inflammatory rheumatic diseases. It also is used for severe high fevers with extreme excitability and acts as a cooling sedative for hysteria and anxiety as well as chronic jaundice. It was also used for felons (inflammations of finger-end joints), hence the common name “felonwort” The herb may also be taken to relieve asthma, chronic bronchitis and rheumatic conditions, including gout. Recent research indicates that bittersweet contains a tumor-inhibiting agent, beta-solamarine, which may have some promise in treating cancer.

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.