Bittersweet

Solanum dulcamara

Bittersweet - a vinelike perennial with trailing or climbing stems up to 10 feet long, bittersweet has alternate heart-shaped to oval leaves, which usually have two earlike segments at their bases. Its star-shaped flowers (April-September) are pinkish purple with bright yellow stamens; they are followed by green berries, which turn bright red.

An aggressive and persistent weed, bittersweet, is one of the poisonous black sheep of a botanical family that also includes such paragons of respectability as the potato and the tomato. Despite its toxicity, bittersweet was once employed as an external remedy for skin diseases and as a treatment for sores and swellings, especially felons- inflammations around the fingernails and toenails. Doctors abandoned the plant's use long ago, but recent research indicates that bittersweet contains a tumor-inhibiting agent, beta-solamarine, which may have some promise in treating cancer. Herbalists have prescribed extracts made from the stems to be taken internally as a sedative, pain reliever, and diuretic and in the treatment of asthma.

The plant's species name, dulcamara, refers to the flavor of the berries, which is first bitter, then unpleasantly sweet. An import from Europe, bittersweet has a native American relative, the horse nettle (S. carolinense), whose yellow berries have been used to treat convulsive disorders and menstrual problems.

Other names

• Bitter Nightshade
• Felonwort
• Nightshade
• Violet-bloom
• Woody Nightshade

Parts used

Twigs, leaves, root bark.

Uses

Bittersweet has stimulant, expectorant, diuretic, and detoxifying properties. It appears to be most-effective taken internally to treat skin problems such as eczema, itchiness, psoriasis, and warts. A decoction of the twigs, applied as a wash, may also help to lessen the severity of these conditions. The herb may also be taken to relieve asthma, chronic bronchitis, and rheumatic conditions, including gout.

Habitat & cultivation

Native to Europe, North Africa, and northern Asia, bittersweet has been naturalized in North America. A common wayside plant, it flourishes in open areas. The twigs are collected in spring or autumn, and the root bark in autumn.

Constituents

Bittersweet contains steroidal alkaloids (including solasodine and soldulcamaridine), steroidal saponins, and about 10% tannins.

How much to take

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. This should be drunk twice daily.
Tincture: take 1 - 2 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Collection & harvesting

The stems of bittersweet are collected in September and October, leaves in summer.

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