1. Description:
Black Nightshade (scientific name: Solanum nigrum, also known as European black nightshade, duscle, garden nightshade, garden huckleberry, Chinese:Long Kui, 龙葵, 野辣虎, 野海椒), is a species of annual flowering plant in genus Solanum (Solanaceae family). Native to Eurasia and introduced in the Americas, Australasia, and South Africa, the plant can grow up to 1.2 meter tall. The roots, stem, leaves, flower and fruits of Black Nightshade acts as discutient, antipyretic and a bitter tonic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) used in treating diseases including sleep disorder, difficulty with urination, cancer as well as various skin problems.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
Black Nightshade is considered to have bitter, slightly sweet, aperitive and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the liver and stomach meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Black Nightshade & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Reducing Inflammation And Relieving Pain
Smashed black nightshade stem and leaves are applied externally to treat fall injuries.
3.2 Bleeding Stopping
Ginseng and black nightshade seedling are pounded and taken orally to treat hematemesis.
3.3 Skin Health
Powdered black nightshade stem and musk are applied externally to treat carbuncles on the back.
3.4 Infants
Smashed black nightshade leaves mixed with vinegar is applied externally to treat erysipelas (an acute streptococcal infectious disease of the skin, characterized by fever, headache, vomiting, and purplish raised lesions, especially on the face, also called Saint Anthony’s fire, Chinese: 丹毒).
3.5 The Excretory System
A decoction of black nightshade root, akebia stem and coriandrum sativum is taken to treat difficulty with urination.
3.6 Removing Flea
Black nightshade leaves can be used in removing flea from bed.
3.7 Sleep Disorder
Cooked black nightshade leaves can be taken with rice soup to clear away internal heat and help the body ease into restful and better sleep.
3.8 Antitumor
Prescribed with other herbs, black nightshade can also help to shrink cancerous protuberance.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.