Herb's Introduction
Solanum surattense Burm. f., often synonymized with Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl., is a highly significant perennial, prickly, diffused wild-growing medicinal herb belonging to the family Solanaceae. It is commonly known as the Yellow-berried Nightshade or Indian Nightshade. This plant holds a revered position in traditional medicine systems, especially Ayurveda, where it is known as Kantakari or Nidigdhika and is one of the ten roots (Dashamoola) used in Ayurvedic formulations like Dashmularishta. The plant is noted for its rich content of bioactive phytochemicals, particularly steroidal alkaloids (like solasodine and solasonine), flavonoids, phenols, and triterpenoids. Its traditional use is extensive, ranging from respiratory ailments to inflammatory conditions, and modern research has begun to validate many of these folk claims, highlighting its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiasthmatic properties.
Name in Different Countries
The herb is known by numerous names, reflecting its wide distribution and cultural significance, especially across South and Southeast Asia. Category Name(s) Scientific Name Solanum surattense Burm. f. Synonyms Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl., Solanum virginianum L. English Names Yellow-berried Nightshade, Indian Nightshade, Febrifuge Plant, Wild Eggplant. Sanskrit Synonyms Kantakari, Vyaghri, Nidigdhika, Duhsparsa (meaning difficult to touch, due to prickles). Indian Regional Names Hindi: Kateli, Katai, Ringani, Bhatakataiya. Bengali: Kantakari. Gujarati: Bhoyaringani, Bhoringni. Marathi: Bhuiringani. Telugu: Pinnamulaka, Nelamulaka, Vankuda. Tamil: Kandankattiri. Malayalam: Kandankattiti. Oriya: Bhejibegun, Ankranti. Punjabi: Kandyali, Mahori, Warumba. Other Names Arabian: Badajan Barri. Nepalese: Kantakaari (कन्टकारी) (as per Nepal Checklist). Export to Sheets
Terminology
The primary terminology associated with Solanum surattense relates to its botanical classification and its traditional role in Ayurveda: Botanical Classification: It belongs to the genus Solanum (known for containing many alkaloids) and the family Solanaceae (Nightshade family). Ayurvedic Terminology: Kantakari: The most common name, often translated to "prickly nightshade" due to the spines on the plant. Dashamoola: It is one of the ten essential roots (or whole plants for this herb) used in the famous Ayurvedic tonic Dashamularishta, primarily valued for its effect on respiratory and inflammatory conditions. Rasa (Taste): Tikta (Bitter) and Katu (Pungent). Guna (Qualities): Rooksha (Dry), Teekshna (Piercing), and Laghu (Light). Veerya (Potency): Ushna (Hot). Vipaka (Post-digestive Taste): Katu (Pungent). Dosha Action: Primarily balances Vata and Kapha Doshas, but may increase Pitta Dosha.
Availability
Solanum surattense is a widely distributed weed, readily available in many parts of the world, especially in tropical and warm temperate regions. Geographical Distribution: It is native to India and is found growing wild throughout the country, including regions like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Beyond India, it is found in the Himalayas, Sri Lanka, South-East Asia (like Malaysia), tropical Australia, and Polynesia. Habitat: It commonly grows in open spaces, wastelands, along roadsides, and in dry places. It thrives up to elevations of about 900 meters in the Himalayas and Nepal. Cultivation/Harvest: As a wild-growing herb, it is generally collected from its natural habitat. The parts used—fruits, roots, and the whole plant—are harvested according to traditional practices, typically when mature. The fruiting period is often cited as May to June in some regions.
External Look
Solanum surattense is easily recognizable due to its thorny, bushy appearance. Habit: It is a prickly, diffuse perennial herb, usually low-lying or prostrate, often with a woody base, growing to about 50-70 cm tall. Stem and Branches: The stem is profusely branched, somewhat zig-zag, and green, densely covered with sharp, sturdy, needle-like prickles (spines) that can be 1–3 cm long. Young branches have dense, star-shaped (stellate) hairs. Leaves: The leaves are ovate-elliptic, deeply lobed or sinuated, and also bear prickles, especially on the veins and margins. They are typically unequally paired. Flowers: The flowers are distinctive and beautiful, usually bluish-pink or purple in color, borne in extra-axillary racemes (clusters). A rare white-flowered variety (S. surattense var. awanicum) has also been reported. Fruit: The plant produces small, spherical berries (fruits). They are green with lighter longitudinal stripes when unripe, turning yellow or yellowish-orange when ripe, giving the plant its common name, Yellow-berried Nightshade. The ripe fruit is around 1.3–3 cm in diameter. Root: The root is cylindrical and often quite long (10-45 cm), with smaller rootlets, and is one of the most medicinally important parts.
Healing Properties
The plant's therapeutic potential is attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, including steroidal alkaloids like solasodine and solasonine. The reported healing properties, validated by traditional use and contemporary research, include: Anti-asthmatic/Antitussive: It is perhaps most famous for its action in respiratory disorders, acting as an antitussive (cough suppressant) and an expectorant (helping to thin and expel mucus). It may help dilate bronchioles and reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract. Anti-inflammatory: Traditional uses and studies confirm its potent anti-inflammatory properties, useful in conditions like rheumatism, arthritis, and general inflammatory problems. Antioxidant: Extracts exhibit significant antioxidant activity, scavenging various free radicals (like hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical, and DPPH radical), which helps prevent oxidative damage. Antimicrobial/Antibacterial: It shows promising activity against various bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp., Escherichia coli) and fungi. Hepatoprotective: Used traditionally and shown in studies to protect the liver. Diuretic and Antilithic: The root is used as a diuretic, aiding in conditions like difficult urination and bladder stones. Antipyretic (Fever Reducer): Used traditionally to manage fever. Hypoglycemic/Antidiabetic: The fruit extract has shown significant anti-hyperglycemic activity, suggesting a role in managing diabetes.
Advantages
The key advantages of using Solanum surattense stem from its comprehensive therapeutic profile, particularly in chronic conditions. Effective for Respiratory Health: Its primary advantage is its efficacy in treating chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, cough, and bronchitis, offering a natural option to clear airways and reduce inflammation. Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic Power: It provides relief from pain and swelling, making it valuable for arthritis, rheumatism, and local inflammations (like sore throat). Broad Spectrum Activity: The presence of alkaloids and other bioactive compounds gives it multi-faceted activity, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects, making it a valuable ingredient in complex herbal formulations. Traditional Validation: Its long history of use and its inclusion in revered formulations like Dashamoola provide strong traditional validation for its safety and efficacy when used correctly. Potential for Novel Drugs: The plant's compounds, particularly steroidal alkaloids like solasodine (a precursor for synthesis of corticosteroids), offer significant potential for pharmaceutical development, including anti-cancer and anti-fungal agents.
Uses
Different parts of Solanum surattense are used for various specific ailments in traditional medicine: Whole Plant/Decoction: Used for general body weakness, dropsy, and as an ingredient in complex tonics (like Dashamularishta for lactating mothers or general tonic use). Fruits: Used as an anthelmintic, antipyretic, laxative, and for treating inflammatory problems and throat infections. Fumigation of dried seeds is a traditional remedy for toothache, dental caries, and gum swelling. Hot aqueous extract is also used for diabetes mellitus. Roots: Highly effective as a diuretic, expectorant, and febrifuge. Used for chronic cough, asthma, chest pain, and in a paste form for piles (haemorrhoids) and hernia. Leaves: The juice is traditionally used to treat rheumatism. Leaf extract has wound-healing and anti-ulcer potential. Other Uses: Skin Diseases: The plant is used in traditional remedies for various skin conditions. Scorpion Bite: Crushed fruits are sometimes applied to a scorpion bite to relieve pain.
Using way
The methods of using Solanum surattense vary widely based on the ailment and the traditional practice: Decoction (Kwath): A common preparation method, especially for respiratory conditions (cough, asthma) and fever. The roots or the whole plant are boiled in water until the volume is reduced, and the resulting liquid is consumed. Powder (Churna): Dried parts (often the whole plant or roots) are ground into a fine powder. This powder (Kantakari Churna) can be taken orally, often mixed with honey, to treat Kapha (mucus) related diseases, cough, and asthma. External Application (Paste/Poultice): The root paste or poultice is applied externally to treat hernia, localized swelling, or piles. Fruit paste is applied to pimples. Ground seeds mixed with sesame oil, boiled, filtered, and cooled are applied externally for pain relief. Fumigation (Dhoopan): A unique method for dental issues. Dried seeds are placed on a hot surface or in a cigar-like wrap, and the smoke is inhaled into the mouth, which is traditionally believed to expel dental insects (a method for relieving toothache and gum inflammation). Juice (Swarasa): Fresh juice of the leaves is sometimes used for rheumatism. Important Note: As with all potent medicinal plants, especially those containing alkaloids like Solanum surattense (which contains compounds that can be toxic in high doses), proper dosage and preparation are crucial. It should always be used under the guidance of a qualified traditional medicine practitioner (like an Ayurvedic Vaidya).
Conclusion
Solanum surattense (Kantakari) is a cornerstone of traditional herbal medicine, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. It is a prickly, diffuse herb renowned for its efficacy against a wide range of ailments, most notably chronic respiratory diseases, inflammatory conditions, and various microbial infections. Its therapeutic profile, largely driven by steroidal alkaloids such as solasodine, aligns well with its traditional use as an antitussive, anti-inflammatory, and potent antioxidant. Despite its "weed" status, its value as a medicinal plant, one of the vital Dashamoola, is immense. While traditional wisdom guides its use through various preparations like decoctions, powders, and external pastes, further clinical trials and standardized formulations are necessary to fully integrate this historically significant herb into modern pharmaceutical practice and to unlock its full potential as a source for novel, life-saving drugs.
