Herba Solani
Aliases：Qiān Nián Bù Làn Xīn (literally "Thousand‑Year‑Unrotting Heart"), Tiān Pào Cǎo (literally "Sky Bubble Grass"), Máo Hé Shang Cǎo (literally "Hairy Monk Grass"), Shǔ Yáng Quán (literally "Sichuan Sheep Spring"), Pái Fēng Téng (literally "Wind‑Dispelling Vine"), Máo Xiù Cái (literally "Hairy Scholar"), Bái Máo Téng (literally "White Hairy Vine"), Liù Jiǎ Cǎo (literally "Six Armors Grass"), and Máo Téng (literally "Hairy Vine"). (These are all alternative names for Kǔ Qié, i.e., European Bittersweet / Solanum dulcamara L.)
Kǔ Qié (Bitter Nightshade) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the whole herb of Solanum dulcamara L., a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae. It is recorded in Guoyao de Yaolixue (Pharmacology of Chinese Medicines).
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and dampness, clears heat and removes toxicity.
Indications
Rheumatic pain, tetanus, carbuncles and abscesses, malignant sores, scabies, and traumatic bleeding.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial effect: Ku Qie exhibits certain antibacterial activity. Antitumor effect: β‑Ku Qie alkaloid has been shown to inhibit sarcoma‑180 in mice. Antibacterial, anti‑inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects: Ku Qie contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and other components, exhibiting antibacterial, anti‑inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. Antioxidant and antitumor effects. Diuretic and anti‑edema effects: According to Guoyao de Yaolixue (Pharmacology of Chinese Medicines), it is recorded as a diuretic, as well as a remedy for neuralgia and reducing swelling.
Ingredients
Ku Qie alkaloids: α-, β-, γ1-, γ2-, and δ-kuqie alkaloids. Solasonine. Solamargine. Shu Yang Quan alkaloid. Tomatidenol. Solasodine.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 15–30 g; or 3–10 g; or grind into powder, 1–3 g each time. For topical application: appropriate amount, fresh leaves mashed for application; or the whole herb ground into powder and sprinkled on.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Spleen‑Stomach deficiency‑cold. This herb is toxic; internal use should be undertaken with caution. Excessive dosage should be avoided.
Selected Formulas
For rheumatic overstrain (Guizhou Herbal Medicine) Take 90g of Pai Feng Teng (Solanum dulcamara, also called Ku Qie), soak in 500g of wine, and drink. For hemiplegia (Guizhou Herbal Medicine) Take 60–120g of Pai Feng Teng, decoct in water and wash the whole body. Additionally, grind the leaves of Pai Feng Teng into powder, take 3g each time with wine. For unruptured back carbuncle with chills and fever (Shengji Zonglu, Ku Qie San) Take 1 liang each of Ku Qie seeds and honey-fried Gancao (Licorice). Grind into fine powder. Take 2 qian each time, mixed with licorice decoction.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole herb. The fruit is also used medicinally.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
