A Modern Herbal | Horsenettle (original) (raw)

Botanical: Solanum carolinense (LINN.)

Family: N.O. Solanaceae

**---Synonyms---**Bull Nettle. Treadfoot. Sand Brier. Apple of Sodom. Poisonous Potato.
**---Parts Used---**Air-dried ripe berries, root.
**---Habitat---**United States of America. This weed is a hardy, coarse perennial, found growing in waste sandy ground as far west as Iowa and south to Florida.

**---Description---**Bears orange yellow berries which is the most active part of the plant, they are glabrous and fleshy, with an odour like pepper, taste, bitter and acrid.

**---Constituents---**Probably Solanine and Solanidine and an organic acid.

**---Medicinal Action and Uses---**Sedative, antispasmodic; has long been used by the Southern negroes in the treatment ofepilepsy; is a useful remedy in infantile convulsions and menstrual hysteria, has no unpleasant effects, but its usefulness is said to be limited, unless given with bromides.

**---Preparations and Dosages---**Fluid drachm three times a day. Berries are given in doses of 5 to 60 grains. Root, 10 grains.