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Botany
Erect, branched, smooth herb, up to 1 meter in height. Stems
are green and 3-angled. Leaves are obate to oblong, 5-8 cm long,
pointed at both ends, with subentire or undulately toothed or
lobed margins. The flowers are umbellately disposed, 5 - 8 on
each peduncle. Calyx is green with ovate-oblong lobes. Corolla
is white, aboout 8 mm diameter. Fruit or berry is darp purple
or black, smooth, shiing, rounded, about 5 mm in diameter. Seeds
are yellow and minutely pitted.
Distribution
Throughout the Philippines
in open, waste places, recently disturbed soil; from sea level
to a height of 2000 meters.
Parts
utilized
Stalks, leaves, roots, fruits.
Chemical
constituents and properties
The leaves yield a mydiratic
alkaloid; the fruit, a saponin.
Analysis of the cultivated large-fruit variety show it to be
a rich source of calcium and phosphorus and a good source of
iron.
Some studies suggested a poisoning from ingestion of the fruit;
other suggest that as the fruit matures, it gradually decreases
in toxicity, and when ripe, contains nontoxic amounts of solanin.
Young shoots, eaten after boiling, considered corrective, cooling,
tonic to men (improves virility) and women (improves menses).
Toxicity
Plant is narcotic and antispasmodic, and like beladonna, dilates
the pupils.
Poisoning presents as vomiting, diarrhea, headache, colic and
depression.
Effect on the eyes start half an hour after ingestion; mydriasis
is maximum in 6 hours. Throat dryness in less than 2 hours, persisting
for 50 hours.
Treatment usually through an emetic and use of a tannin-containing
solution.
Uses
Folkloric
The fruit is used as a cosmetic;
rubbing the seeds on the cheeks to remove freckles.
The mature fruit is harmlessly and extensively eaten by children.
The fruit has been ysed fior diabetes.
Poulitice of leaves is sedative and has healing properties.
Roots have been used for bubonic plague.
Decoction of stalk, leaves, roots used for wounds and cancerous
sores.
Juice of leaves used for kidney problems and gonorrhea.
Infusion of leaves used as enema for abdominal upsets in children.
Paste of green berries used for ringworm.
Decoction of juice herb used for cleaning foul ulcers.
Decoction of plant used for vaginal irrigation.
Heated leaves used for testicular pains and swellings.
Poultice of leaves applied to infant cradles to induce sleep.
The fruit has been used for erysipelas.
Decoction of berries and flowers used for cough and consumption.
Nutritional
Fruit of some varieties is
edible, excellent for use in pies and jams.
Young shoots are eaten like spinach; the boiled leaves are edible.
Cosmetic
Seeds of fresh fruit rubbed
on cheeks to remove freckles and improve the complexion.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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