Bittersweet
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Botanical Name |
Solanum dulcamara |
|
Family |
Solanacaea |
|
Other Names |
Amara dulcis, blue nightshade, dulcamara, felonwood, felonwort, fever twig, garden nightshade, mortal, nightshade vine, scarlet berry, staff vine, violet bloom, woody nightshade |
|
Habitat |
Woods, scrub. Marsh, fens |
|
Description |
Perennial up to 2m, creeping, climber Leaves stalked oval to lanceolate, alternate become more pointed towards top of stem Bark: ashen grey with age Flowers: violet 5 petals small yellow stamens May-September Berries: green then yellow then red, oval |
|
Native to |
Europe, Asia, North Africa |
|
Harvesting |
Leaves: summer Stems September-October |
|
Part used |
Leaves, stems |
|
Actions |
Alterative, anti-rheumatic, diuretic, expectorant, mild sedative |
|
Constituents |
Steroidal alkaloids –soladulcamaridine, soladulcidine, solanidine, solasodine, tomatidine, their hydroxy derivatives and beta solamarine. Steroidal saponins – solamayocinosides, A-F soladulcine A & B, soladulcosides A & B |
|
Skin |
Eczema, psoriasis |
|
Digestive |
Diarrhoea, dysentery |
|
Other Notes |
It was used to protect against the evil eye Planet: Mercury Element: Air |
|
Caution |
Berries are poisonous |
Bittersweet –American
|
Botanical Name |
Celastrus scandens |
|
Family |
Celastraceae |
|
Other Names |
False bittersweet, waxwork |
|
Native to |
North America |
|
Parts Used |
Root, bark |
|
Actions |
Alterative, diaphoretic, diuretic |
|
Constituents |
Pigment celastrol |