Black Nightshade

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Dosing

Black nightshade is a plant. Originally, black nightshade was called “petit (small) morel” to distinguish it from the more poisonous species, deadly nightshade, that is known as “great morel.” You may hear black nightshade mistakenly referred to as “petty” morel, instead of the correct term, “petit” moral. People use the whole black nightshade plant including leaves, fruit, and root to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, black nightshade has been used for stomach irritation, cramps, spasms, pain, and nervousness.

Some people apply black nightshade directly to the skin for a skin condition called psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and deep skin infections (abscesses). The bruised, fresh leaves are put on the skin to treat swelling (inflammation), burns, and ulcers.

How does it work?

There isn't enough information to know how black nightshade might work as a medicine.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Stomach irritation.
• Cramps.
• Spasms.
• Pain.
• Nervousness.
• Hemorrhoids, when applied to the skin.
• Skin inflammation, when applied to the skin.
• Burns, when applied to the skin.
• Other conditions.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Black nightshade is UNSAFE to take by mouth. It contains a toxic chemical called solanin. At lower doses, it can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, and other side effects. At higher doses, it can cause severe poisoning. Signs of poisoning include irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, dizziness, drowsiness, twitching of the arms and legs, cramps, diarrhea, paralysis, coma, and death.

There isn't enough information to know whether it is safe to apply black nightshade directly to the skin.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

The appropriate dose of black nightshade depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for black nightshade. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.