Family Name: Solanaceae
Botanical Name(s): Solanum dulcamara
Popular Name(s): Blue Nightshade, Felonwort, Fever Twig, Garden
Nightshade, Woody, Nightshade Vine, Scarlet Berry, Staff Vine, Violet
Bloom
Parts Used: Bark of the root and twigs
Habitat: Bittersweet is native to Europe and Asia.
Description: Bittersweet is a semi-woody herbaceous perennial
vine which grows to a height of 4 m. Its alternate dark green (or
purplish when young) leaves vary in shape (roughly arrowhead-shaped) and
are 4-12 cm in length. Its flowers occur in loose clusters of 3-20 and
are star-shaped, with five petals and possess purple colour. The fruits
are present in the form of ovoid shaped red berries with a length of
about 1 cm.
Uses: Bittersweet has anodyne, diuretic, emetic and purgative
properties. It is used as a poultice for gout and herpes. Bittersweet is
considered as an important remedy for treating allergies.
