Truth about apple of sodom or poison berry

apple of sodom

The scientific name of the Solanum or poison berry is Solanum sodomeum Linn.

Other scientific names Common names
Solanum sisymbrifolium Lam. Solanum (Tag.)
Dead sea apple (Engl.)
Apple of Sodom (Engl.)
Poison berry (Engl.)
Vine of Sodom (Engl.)
Ci tian qie (Chin.)


Botany

Hairy and spiny shrub, growing to a height of 1.5 meters. Leaves are ovate, dark green with 2-3 serrate lobes. Flowers are violet. Fruit is orange, globose, up to 3 cm and many-seeded.

Distribution

Native to the Mediterranean. Cultivated in Baguio and Manila gardens. Propagated by seeds.

Properties and constituents

Fruit is deemed poisonous.

A water soluble extract consists of 60-90% solamargine and solasonine, being studied as components in pharmaceutical compostions for inhibiting tumor growth in liver, breast and lung cancer. (source )

Uses

Used for cystitis, dermatitis, ringworn, pleurisy, sorethroat, toothaches and infertility.

In the Congo, used for hypertension.

In the Easter Cape, South Africa, poultice of fruit and leaves in oil or fat applied to skin rashes.

In Paraguay, used for its diuretic and antihypertensive properties.

Caution !
Livestock / Pasture Nightshades:

Since 1900s, reports of chronic and crippling arthritis in livestock in Brazil, USA, Australia and other places, associated with arteriosclerosis, hypercalcemic, osteopetrosis and early death have identified the culprits as belonging to the Solanacea family (Nightshade family), including S malacoxylon and S sodomeum, C diurnum and N veitchii. Solanaceae which contain cholinesterase inhibiting glycoalkaloids and steroids and its vitamin D3 metabolite and other unknown factors and deficiencies – may cumulatively cause the disabling arthrtic condition.

Scientific studies on poison berry 

Hypotensive / Cardiovascular Effects:

Extract from the plant has been reported to exert hypotensive effects in rats. Nuatigenosido, isolated as one of the prospective active compounds, was shown to lower blood pressure and augment the contractile force in the right atrium.

Availability

Cultivated.

Read about other interesting fruits

Acai berry        Ambarella         Avocado           Bael       Banana      Bilberry      Cocunut   

 Cantaloupe        Cashew apple      Dragon Fruit    Durian      Fig      Jack fruit   Jamun      

 Kiwi        Lychee      Malay apple     Mango        Mangosteen       Miracle fruit         Pomelo  

 Papaya     Passion fruit     Phalsa      Pineapple           Plum       Pomegranate       

Prickly pear      Quince       Rambutan           Roselle          Santol          Sapota       

Sea buckthorn       Sour Orange     Soursop           Sweet Lime         Star gooseberry 

Star Apple        Strawberry     Surinam Cherry          Sweet lime        Tamarind       Tomato 

Tree tomato      Wampi       Watermelon         Wood apple

Read about herbs and spices

Allspice          Alfalfa       Ashwagandha        Bay leaf              Black cohosh           

Black onion seeds       Black pepper       Cayenne pepper    Celery          Chives       

 Chamomile        Clove     Coffee senna    Coriander       Curry leaf         Cumin        

Eucalyptus       Fennel            Fenugreek       Garlic      Ginger         Gotu Kola       

Hibiscus         Holy basil    Jasmine     Kava Kava     Lavender     Licorice   

Long pepper    Lotus   Majoram      Marigold     Mugwort     Mustard seeds      

 Neem    Nutmeg       Oregano     Peppermint     Red  clover        Rose       Rosemary           

Sage         Sensitive plant   St.John’s wort        Tarragon        Thyme     Triphala powder        

Turmeric     Vetiver grass    Wheat grass      Wild amarnath