Common Name: Bittersweet

General Information

Solanum dulcamara is an unarmed, herbaceous perennial climbing plant with stems up to 250cm long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and pesticide and also for use in cosmetics.

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant, including the fruit, are poisonous[, , , , ], though only mildly so[, ].
Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most species in this genus also contain toxic alkaloids. Whilst these alkaloids can make the plant useful in treaing a range of medical conditions, they can also cause problems such as nausea, vomiting, salivation, drowsiness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness and respiratory depression[].
Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[].

Botanical References

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Range

Temperate Eurasia, from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific, northern Indo-China and the Himalayas; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

Habitat

Hedgerows and woody areas, avoiding acid soils[]. Also found on moist banks by the edges of swamps[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	2.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Solanum dulcamara is a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to at least -15°c[], perhaps as low as -30°c when fully dormant[]
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils[, ]. Prefers a damp shady position and a neutral to alkaline soil[, ]. Succeeds in full sun to light shade[]. If being grown for its medicinal uses, the plant is best placed in a dry and exposed position[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Bittersweet is a poisonous plant that has a long history of use in the treatment of skin diseases, warts, tumours, felons etc[]. It should be used with caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, this is a poisonous plant that, in excess, paralyzes the central nervous system, slows the heart and respiration, and lowers temperature, causing vertigo, delirium, convulsions and death[, ]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

All parts of the plant are alterative, anodyne, depurative, mildly diuretic, emetic, expectorant, hepatic, mildly narcotic and purgative[, , , , , ]. The dried stem, usually collected in the autumn and preferably from the ends of branches 2 - 3 years old, is the part that is most valued medicinally, though the leaves are also used[]. The plant is chiefly used as an alterative when taken internally in the treatment of a range of skin diseases, it is also used in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, bronchial congestion, heart ailments, ulcerative colitis and jaundice[, , ].
Externally, the plant is used to treat skin eruptions, ulcers, rheumatism and cellulite[].
Two to three year old stems are harvested in the spring, or after the leaves have fallen in the autumn, and dried for later use[].

The fruits are marinated in vinegar and applied to cancerous sores and other swellings[].
The alkaloid solanine, contained in the berries, can be used for treating rheumatism, arthritis, and skin disease[].

A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of cancer and swellings[]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh, green, still pliant stems and leaves, harvested as the plant begins to flower[]. This is used in treating a variety of complaints including backaches, cough, diarrhoea, eye inflammations and joint pains[].

Other Uses

The alkaloid solanine, contained in the berries, can be used as a pesticide[].

An extract of the stems is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown outdoors in situ in the spring.
Division in spring.