Red nightshade (bittersweet): description, use in treatment, possible harm. Medical news sections Bittersweet nightshade uses

Among poisonous plants, bittersweet nightshade occupies a special place. On the one hand, it can cause poisoning. On the other hand, like red nightshade (and this is one of its species), it is a medicinal plant that is used both in folk medicine and in pharmacology. You should consider the main medicinal properties and contraindications of the plant in order to understand whether it is useful or not.

Among poisonous plants, bittersweet nightshade occupies a special place

Nightshade and its description

This plant is a perennial subshrub up to 200 cm high, climbing, with a bare thin stem, which in some ways even resembles a vine climbing other trees. Interestingly, in nature, bittersweet nightshade is the only plant that can twist both clockwise and counterclockwise. Other climbing plants usually curl in one direction only.

The stem of this crop is woody, the bark has a sweetish taste. But underneath the stem usually has an unpleasant odor and a bitter taste. This is why bittersweet nightshade got its name.

This plant, belonging to the Solanaceae family, has a woody thin stem, but its young shoots are herbaceous. Leaves can be of different sizes. Most often they are distinguished by their ovate-lanceolate shape and long petioles.

The description would be incomplete without mentioning flowers. Like all nightshades, a representative of the family blooms with small buds of a characteristic shape. These flowers resemble potatoes in appearance. At the same time, they are distinguished by a dark purple tone; white flowers are rare. Bittersweet nightshade blooms in mid-June. Budding may continue until the end of August. After this, fruits appear on the plant - oval berries of an orange-red hue.

The variety of plants with which you can create a hedge is amazingly rich in choice. For connoisseurs of rare and ornamental crops, nightshade, or as it is also called “potato vine,” is perfect. The variety of species allows it to be used not only for vertical plantings, but also for container gardening.

Do not forget that all plants from the nightshade genus are poisonous. Their berries contain toxic substances that negatively affect humans. As a rule, they are bright and attractive, so when choosing a nightshade vine to grow in your garden, make sure that small children cannot have access to the dangerous plant.

Among the many species, several groups can be distinguished, which differ in their characteristics and requirements for growing conditions.

Nightshades wintering in middle and temperate latitudes

Nightshade bittersweet

Otherwise, “wolfberry” is a subshrub, the branches of which spread along the surface of the ground and are capable of growing vertically on a support. Under different conditions of maintenance, the height of the plant can be from 40 to 190 cm. Large, bright flowers of this species are collected in racemose inflorescences that droop downwards.

Flowering lasts from May to August. Afterwards, bright red berries are formed.

Thanks to its decorative effect, which pleases the eye first with long flowering and then with numerous bright berries, bittersweet nightshade has become widespread among gardeners, although this species is found in the wild almost throughout Russia.

The plant tolerates shade well and does not need bright lighting. Prefers acidic soils with high humidity. Damp places are the most suitable corner for bittersweet nightshade. It does not need shelter for the winter, nor does it need to be removed from its support. Bushes are formed in the spring by partially pruning the branches.

The plant propagates by seeds and cuttings. In the spring, it is enough to place the cuttings of the stem on the ground, sprinkled with a little soil. In the fall, the offset can be separated from the mother plant and replanted.

Seeds are sown in open ground before winter. This process does not require any special conditions. In the spring, shoots will appear, and in the fall, young plants can be planted in a permanent place of growth.

Black nightshade or "common"

It is an annual herbaceous plant. The stems rarely reach a height of one meter. Often found as a weed in vegetable gardens. But because of the beautiful white inflorescences, which delight the eye with long-lasting flowering, it is also used in cultivated cultivation.

Bright berries begin to ripen in July. Sowing of seedlings is carried out in mid-April; picked seedlings are planted in the ground at the end of May. This type of vine prefers fairly moist soil. Tolerates shade very well. Group plantings of black nightshade create an unusual hedge that attracts attention with its beautiful flowers and berries.

Types of nightshades for container gardening

Since most nightshades are native to warm tropical countries, they can only be grown at temperatures not lower than 18 °C. In mid-latitudes, several decorative species can be used for such purposes, which can tolerate cold weather in a warm room in a pot, and then move back into the open air in the summer.

False pepper and pepper nightshade

Commonly known as indoor plants, they can also be grown outdoors in a container. In nature, these vines reach quite large sizes. When planted in a large pot, you can grow a bush up to one meter in height. To form a correct, beautiful crown, the tips of the branches are pruned during the period when the plant is not in the flowering and fruiting stage.

These shrubs are evergreen. They bloom mainly in winter, and in May–July they form bright fruits that cover the entire crown. Depending on the conditions and temperature, nightshade may bloom at other times. At low temperatures, as a rule, it rests. As the temperature rises, the budding process begins. Bright white star-shaped flowers decorate the bush for 3-4 months.

False pepper and pepper nightshade propagate by seeds that can be collected from the bush. Sow seedlings in February - March. The plant takes a long time to develop and is able to bloom only in the second year of life.

Prefers bright sunlight and moderate humidity. During the period of active growth, the soil in the container should never be allowed to dry out.

When frost occurs, the potato vine should be moved to a warm room and kept until spring. This procedure is not available to everyone. Some gardeners prefer to buy an already mature plant and grow it for one season for decorative purposes.

Papillary nightshade

Just like the previous species, it has a bush-like shape. It can grow in container planting or as a houseplant. Its bright yellow fruits are shaped like a cow's udder, which is where its name comes from. The plant develops quickly and, when favorable conditions are created, can reach a height of up to one meter. Flowering occurs from January to December. For its decorative properties, nightshade is widely used among gardeners. Requires the same conditions of maintenance and care as false pepper and pepper.

Papillary nightshade propagates by seeds, which can be collected from an adult plant. Seedlings are sown at the end of winter. Can be planted in open ground or a container after the threat of frost has passed.

Jasmine

It differs from previous representatives of the genus in that it is a vine that can reach two meters in height. Such a plant can be grown in two versions - as a hanging plant or on a support in a container. Since the jasmine nightshade comes from Brazil, it is not able to survive winter in mid-latitudes. During the cold period, it must be transferred to a warm room.

This species looks great in hanging pots. Numerous white flowers along the entire length of the stems give the vine a special attractiveness. Blooms from early March to September. After this, berries are formed that can be used for propagation.

Curly nightshade

It has a no less decorative appearance. Its bright blue flowers, densely arranged on a vine that reaches a height of up to two meters, look great in hanging planters and in container planting on a support. This plant is thermophilic. Does not tolerate sub-zero temperatures. In mid-latitudes it is grown as a container crop for the garden or in a greenhouse. Flowering from March to October.

It is worth noting that all nightshades that are suitable for gardening in pots and containers are quite heat-loving. They need bright light and constant soil moisture. To achieve the greatest decorative effect and abundant flowering, it is worth feeding with complex fertilizers. The soil in the container for growing nightshade should be loose and well permeable. Water stagnation should not be allowed, otherwise the root system of the plant will die.

Bittersweet nightshade is an annual herbaceous shrub belonging to the Solanaceae family. The name of the shrub comes from the appearance of its fruits, which turn from green to yellow and then red. The berries initially taste sweet, but then become bitter.

A climbing subshrub with a woody lower part and a herbaceous upper part. The inside of the stems is hollow. Blooms throughout the summer. Purple flowers have yellow stamens. The fruit is egg-shaped berries that ripen in the first days of the summer season.

The description of this climbing plant reveals an interesting fact that distinguishes it from other similar individuals: its shoots are capable of twisting clockwise and counterclockwise.

In the wild, the poisonous specimen is found throughout Russia. Prefers moist soils, banks of water bodies, as well as garden plots in populated areas and garbage heaps. Gardeners grow the graceful plant as an ornamental vine, calling it red nightshade.

Bittersweet nightshade is an annual herbaceous shrub belonging to the Solanaceae family.

Common names for bittersweet nightshade

The numerous names that the poisonous plant has received among the people do not evoke much respect for it, but among them there are also those indicating its beneficial properties: mother grass, zaplisa, zapliha, bittersweet grass, loziga, cloudwort, dog grass, privet grass, bear grass , wolf's, crow's and viper's berries, scrofula, night's shadow, wormweed, mothgrass, viper's nightshade, magpie catkin, lazikha, natynnik, wattle grass, sweet grass.

Chemical composition of red nightshade

The medicinal plant contains a storehouse of valuable elements, namely:

• phospholipids;
• alkaloids;
• many tannic and bitter compounds;
• steroid saponins;
• carbohydrates;
• organic acids;
• choline;
• flavonoids;
• tannins.

All parts of the plant, both aboveground and underground, are used.

Gallery: red nightshade (25 photos)

What nightshade looks like (video)

Medicinal properties of red nightshade

An attractive plant with beautiful flowers and berries, in addition to being used for decorative purposes, is used in the production of medicinal preparations and insect repellents.

An infusion is made from herbaceous shoots that helps cope with skin ailments, pathologies of the respiratory system, inflammation of the urinary system and several infectious diseases.

Due to its hormonal effect, medications based on red nightshade help regulate the menstrual cycle. The action of plant hormones improves the condition of the central nervous system and metabolic processes.

The use of red nightshade in folk medicine

The healing properties of the above-ground and underground parts of this amazing plant allow it to be used in home treatment recipes:

• respiratory diseases (promotes expectoration);
• venereal and skin diseases caused by allergic reactions, eczema or various rashes;
• rheumatism;
• neuralgia;
• toothache;
• heart pathologies;
• as a diuretic, diaphoretic and anthelmintic drug.

It is possible to make only water and alcohol extracts yourself. The extract of the medicinal bush is produced only industrially.

The berries initially taste sweet, but then become bitter.

Alcohol tincture of bittersweet nightshade

You can prepare the product yourself or purchase it at a pharmacy. You need to take 40% alcohol in a ratio of 1:5 and leave for a month. It is recommended to use the tincture during illness with viral infections and influenza. You should drink 3 times a day, 10–30 drops. Besides, the drug actively fights the following ailments:

• hives;
• cleanses blood and blood vessels;
• diarrhea;
• normalizes metabolic processes;
• diseases of the bladder and ureters.

You can prepare an alcoholic tincture of bittersweet nightshade yourself.

Recipes for infusions and decoctions of red nightshade

All parts of the plant except the rhizome are used in the preparation of medicines.

1. To prepare the infusion pour boiling water (500 ml) over the chopped flowers, stems and leaves (1 teaspoon from the mixture), leave for 4 hours. Drink 1 tablespoon before meals. Take the tops of the plant (1 teaspoon), add boiling water (500 ml). After 1 hour, filter.
2. To get rid of pleurisy, prepare a decoction from 1 tablespoon of leaves of a medicinal shrub. The raw materials must be filled with water (500 ml) and simmered on the stove for 1 hour. Then squeeze the broth out of the cake and drink 1 tablespoon three times a day.
3. Infusion for expectoration. Combine nightshade, wild poppy and buckwheat flowers - 30 g each, St. John's wort, mullein, malvia, white leaves - 40 g each, black elderberry, primrose, linden - 20 g each. Stir 4 tablespoons of raw materials in a liter of hot water and leave for hours.
4. Drink for scrofula. You will need tricolor violet with a string (4 teaspoons of each) and 1 teaspoon of nightshade. Pour boiling water (250 ml) over a spoonful of herbs and leave for a couple of hours.

Features of black nightshade (video)

Ancient healers recommended washing with a decoction of nightshade against a sad spirit. To prepare infusions and decoctions for medicinal purposes, water can be replaced with whey (preferably goat whey). Since nightshade is a fairly strong plant, it requires compliance with the dosage.

The decoction can be used externally for skin diseases (rash, lichen, ulcers, abscesses). The product is used in the form of rinses, lotions and compresses.

Making Bittersweet Nightshade Powder

To prepare the drug, you need to collect the leaves of the plant, dry and grind to a powder. Ointments are prepared from the powder or taken 0.5 grams twice a day.

Persons suffering from skin ailments should take the crushed tops of the bush three times a day before meals on the tip of a knife and wash it down with water (a third of a glass).

Preparation and storage of medicinal raw materials

Nightshade shoots, flowers and berries are used for medicinal purposes. Harvesting of apical stems begins in the spring, before the flowers bloom or during the flowering period. Stems should be collected in early spring(before the leaves bloom) or in the fall (after the leaves fall).

For drying, you should choose a shaded place so that the raw materials are not exposed to direct sunlight. Can be dried under a shelter or in the attic. Before drying, the stems must be cut into pieces 10–15 cm long.

Raw materials must be stored in accordance with the rules for storing poisonous plants. Packages must be paper or wooden, covered with paper. You can use glass containers.

Nightshade stems should be harvested in the fall.

Contraindications and harms of red nightshade

Since the plant is poisonous, it is important to use preparations based on it with caution. Although the shiny berries look delicious, they contain the same poisonous components as the rest of the shrub. A substance called solanine, found in nightshade, is found in potato tops and berries. Unlike black nightshade, whose ripened fruits do not contain poisons, Red nightshade is not safe for health even after it ripens.

A subshrub with a long climbing stem (up to 2 m, and in favorable conditions even more), with a woody base. The leaves are ovate-pointed. The flowers are purple, in drooping racemes. Blooms from late May to September. The fruits are red, bittersweet berries, ripen in June - October.

Distributed in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Siberia and the Far East along the banks of reservoirs, damp places, and among bushes. Often found in populated areas, on the outskirts of villages, between vegetable gardens, and on garbage heaps. Bittersweet nightshade is often grown in garden plots as an ornamental vine.Bittersweet nightshade is often grown in garden plots as an ornamental vine.

Popularly, bittersweet nightshade is also called red because of its red berries, to distinguish it from black nightshade.

The leaves, stem and fruits of nightshade are poisonous. As the fruits ripen, the toxic properties of the fruits of bittersweet nightshade, unlike black nightshade, do not disappear, since in addition to the poisonous glycoalkaloid solanine, which disappears when the berries ripen, there are also other toxic substances, in particular solidulcine and dulcamarin.

At the end of last winter, which was extremely cold and long in our area, I watched as the berries of the bittersweet nightshade, usually ignored by birds, were pecked by starving waxwings. They ate these bright red berries, visible from afar, in the very last place, when all the available food was found and safely eaten, and the snow stubbornly refused to melt and open the grass litter with seeds and berries preserved from the fall.

They ate little by little, eating a single bush with several bunches of berries for more than a week. Having pecked at several fruits, the waxwings sat for a long time, drowsy, often right on the snow, letting me get very close, and only when there was a meter and a half left before them, they flew away heavily.

Animals don't eat bittersweet either. nightshade for food. But hungry livestock can be poisoned by nightshade growing near the fence of the pens, where all other grass has been trampled.

Children who are tempted by the berries are usually poisoned by red nightshade. Unripe berries are more toxic and you only need to try a few pieces for symptoms of poisoning to appear. Ripe berries are not so poisonous, beautiful and sweet (the bitter taste appears only when they are chewed well), therefore they are more insidious.

Symptoms of nightshade poisoning bittersweet are the same as in case of poisoning with other plants containing solanine and similar glycoalkaloids - abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, depression of motor and mental activity, difficulty breathing, cardiovascular failure. First aid is gastric lavage.

Nightshade bittersweet is a medicinal plant used in folk medicine to treat many diseases. But using nightshade for medicinal purposes, due to its toxicity, must be used with caution.

Bittersweet nightshade (lat. Solánum dulcamára) is a plant of the genus Nightshade (Solanum) of the Solanaceae family. Common names: privet berries, wolf berries, crow berries, viper grass, viper nightshade, viper berries, worm, wolf berry, glisten, zaplisa, zaplikha, scrofula, laziha, mother grass, bear berries, natynnik, natynnik, nightshade, crocheted, nightshade, wattle grass, podzhivotnik, dogs, bittersweet dogs, dog berries, magpie berries, magpie catkins, sweetie, night shadow, loziga, cloudwort, bittersweet grass.

The specific name of the plant is associated with its fruits - berries, which are first green, then yellow, and as they ripen they become red, and if you bite into them, the taste is first sweet and then bitter.

Bittersweet nightshade is a climbing subshrub, woody below, herbaceous above. A stem with a hollow core, branching, bears alternate leaves. The leaves usually have 2 lobes at the base, heart-shaped or ovoid, pointed at the end. Bittersweet nightshade is an elegant plant with striking purple flowers with yellow conical anthers on the stamens. Beautiful juicy red berries are ovoid in shape.

Blooms from June to August.

General distribution: almost throughout the temperate and subtropical zone of the Old World (although the range is not continuous); introduced to North America.

Distributed in the European part of Russia (all regions except the Trans-Volga and Lower Volga), Western Siberia (Irtysh, Barnaul regions), Eastern Siberia (Angaro-Sayan, Daursky regions), Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Central Asia.

It grows in damp thickets of bushes and floodplain meadows, willows, along the banks of rivers and ponds, near lakes and swamps, damp garbage places in all regions of central Russia.

The plant is shade-tolerant.

The herbaceous stem tips are collected at the beginning or during flowering. The raw materials are dried in the shade. Store separately in boxes lined with paper, like a poisonous plant.

Steroids and alkaloids were found in the roots.

The aerial part of the plant contains tigonenin and alkaloids. Steroids were found in the stems - cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, brassicasterol, isofucosterol.

Carotenoids (fitufluin, beta-carotene, carotene, zecarotene, lycopene, cryptoxanthin), steroids (cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, brassicasterol, isofucosterol) were found in the fruits. The seeds contain triterpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, fatty oil, higher fatty acids (lauric, myristic, palmitic), phospholipids (0.12%).

In folk medicine, young herbaceous shoots with leaves of bittersweet nightshade are used for medicinal purposes for skin diseases, especially itchy eczema and inflammation, for bronchial asthma, colds, inflammation of the bladder, diarrhea, irregular menstruation, as a wound-healing and anthelmintic. Bittersweet nightshade leaves are also used for dropsy, jaundice, and whooping cough; externally - for scrofula and rheumatism; berries - for sexually transmitted diseases, epilepsy, migraine attacks, a decoction of flowers - for pulmonary diseases and catarrh of the respiratory tract.

Tea from bittersweet nightshade is drunk - not with sufficient justification - for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis, asthma, gout, rheumatism, dropsy, eczema and other skin diseases.

Although nightshade is not as poisonous as its relatives belladonna, henbane and datura, it does require careful handling. Therefore, there should be no self-medication with this medicinal plant.

Taking more than necessary amounts of bittersweet nightshade leads to overexcitation and speech disorders. Difficulty swallowing, nausea, and dizziness may occur.