Biological Activity
The stems are approved by the German Commission E for external use as supportive therapy in chronic eczema.
The alkaloids, solanine (from unripe fruits), solasodine (from flowers) and beta-solamarine (from roots) inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus. Solanine and solasodine extracted from Solanum dulcamara showed antidermatophytic activity against Chrysosporium indicum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. simil. and thus may cure ringworm.
Although fatal human poisonings are rare, several cases have been documented. The poison is believed to be solanine.Aggressive treatment of children ingesting limited amounts of ripened S. dulcamara berries appears to be unnecessary.
The name bittersweet is also used in some areas for some species in the genus Celastrus (elsewhere referred to as the staff vines, family Celastraceae), e.g. American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) and oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus).
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Flowers, Ottawa, Ontario
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Flowers
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Fruits
Read more about this topic: Solanum Dulcamara
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