Good day! Continuing into my plant research journey, I've got a plant that we need to be cautious about: Bittersweet Nightshade, also known as Woody Nightshade.
The Latin name of this plant is Solanum Dulcamara.
I took this photo of Bittersweet Nightshade the other day when the gorgeous purple flowers caught my eye. I knew nothing about this plant before researching it last week, but I've noticed the little red berries that this plant produces before and have wondered if they're edible. They're NOT! Although this plant is known to have medicinal uses, the entirety of the plant is considered to be poisonous! It’s also possible to be allergic to this plant. The STEM is believed to be considerably less poisonous than the rest of the plant, so the stem has mostly been used topically to treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and warts. The stems are harvested when they do not have any leaves - either leaves have not yet grown, or the leaves have already fallen from the plant.
Do not eat any parts of this plant if you see it! It’s not a plant to be afraid of, but you should absolutely not consume it, and you should not use this plant topically unless you’ve done your own research and consulted someone well versed in plant knowledge. I came across some information saying some people do ingest the stem of bittersweet nightshade for medicinal purposes, but when consumed in excess the effects of poisoning from the plant can paralyze the central nervous system and slow the heart. I would not recommend ingesting it unless you've been given some good evidence by a knowledgeable herbalist or doctor who would recommend it!
Bumblebees love the flowers, and birds love to eat the tiny tomato-shaped berries, but it’s not to be consumed by people or pets.
Have a magical day!
Jenny
