GARDEN NIGHTSHADE Solanum nigrum, L.( N. E. Kovaleva, Lecheye Rasteniamy Medicina, Moscow, 1971)
Externally: A paste of the plant is a useful application for corroding ulcers, chancre, severe burns, herpes and rheumatic joints. The hot leaves applied in poultice form will relieve swollen and painful scrotum and testicles, also rheumatic gout, eruptions of the skin, corroding ulcers, tumours, whitlow and burns. A decoction of the leaves is used for bathing tumours, inflamed, irritated and painful parts of the body. This diluted decoction is effectively added to the syringe for vaginal discomfort. Russian Experience: Of all the medical literature available it is only in Bello-Russian( White Russia) literature that any reference can be found of Solanum nigrum( Garden nightshade) or Russian paslen cherny.
From days of long ago, Werenko( 1896) used the berries for expelling tapeworms, as a gargle and as a poultice for inflamed boils. Cholovski( 1882) found the contents of use for rheumatism. More recently it has been used as a tea for stomach pain and for baby’ s eczema( Nikolaeva, 1964). They also referred to French literature( Hoppe, 1958). Industrial: Another species, Paslen dolchaty( Solanum lacimiatum) has better attention for industrial and commercial cultivation. Plantations in Ukraine, Moldavia, South Kazakhstan and elsewhere have had professional Agro-Technic assistance. For approximately 1 acre, 3½ – 4 lb. of seed is needed. In South Kazakhstan they cut three times a season. The raw material is delivered to State chemical factories in 50 kg. bundles. With this a cortisone and other hormone preparations are processed.
GELSEMIUM
Gelsemium sempervirens( L.), Ait.( N. O.: Loganiaceae)
Common Names: Yellow Jasmine, Wild Woodbine, Gelsemium. Features: Abounding throughout North America, from Vancouver to Florida. The beautifully woody climber with its yellow flowers in March through May has an agreeable odour, and is cultivated as an ornamental vine. The plant has a twining stem with perennial leaves, which are dark green above and pale beneath. The roots are numerous, tough and splintery, containing Gelsemium as its active principle, also fixed oil, acrid resin, yellow colouring matter, a heavy volatile oil, a crystalline substance, and salts of potassium, lime, magnesia, iron and silica. Medicinal Part: The root. Solvents: Water, alcohol. Bodily Influence: Nervine, Sedative, Mydriatic, Antispasmodic, Antiperiodic. Uses: Has been used for many purposes by former generations, and still seems to be credited, but with careful administration. Close resemblance to Hemlock( Tsuga canadensis) in action.