Genus: Solanum
Common name: Bittersweet. Climbing nightshade. Woody nightshade. Poisonberry.
Family: Solanaceae (Nightshades – Potato, Tomato, Eggplant, Peppers)
Bittersweet is a woody perennial shrub with climbing branches which have a bitter taste when chewed but leave a sweet aftertaste. During the summer, clusters of drooping bluish purple star-shaped flowers with bright yellow stamens bloom during the summer and are followed by bright red berries. The leaves are arrow shaped. Dulcamara is less toxic than some members of the Solanaceae family, like Belladonna and Stramonium, but all parts of the plant can affect the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the central nervous system. From ancient times, bittersweet has been used medicinally for whooping cough, skin eruptions including warts, rheumatism, jaundice, and other complaints. Native to Eurasia and found worldwide, in parts of the United States, Bittersweet is considered an invasive vine.
The homeopathic remedy Dulcamara has an affinity to the mucus membranes and skin. Complaints are brought on from cold, damp weather or a change of weather when warm days are followed by cold evenings. Thus, it is a good remedy to consider for many complaints including headaches, hay fever, rheumatism, and diarrhea that are worse during the autumn. An interesting indication for the use of this remedy is that the individual can have a tendency to be preoccupied with family matters and be somewhat quarrelsome and domineering, without being truly angry.
Keynotes:
- Chilly, worse from cold, damp weather or from becoming chilled when hot
- Anxiety about family, possessive and domineering to family members
- Scolding, quarrelsome, impatient, opinionated – but without anger
- Colds and flu brought on by cold, wet weather
- Allergy to cats, hay fever worse in the fall, sinusitis
- Secretion of thick yellow mucus
- Loose cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, moist asthma with a rattling cough
- Flat smooth warts, facial warts, herpes
- Itching skin eruptions, urticaria, hives, brought on by getting cold
- Rheumatism, low back pain, stiffness, joint pains worse cold, damp weather or from getting wet
- Cystitis with involuntary urination after getting cold and wet
- Eye inflammation and diarrhea in teething children
Information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by a physician. If you desire or need such advice, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.