Herb latin name: Solanum lyratum


Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade Family, Potato Family)



Medicinal use of Solanum lyratum:

The whole plant is depurative and febrifuge. A decoction is used in the treatment of leucorrhoea, abscesses, cancer of the oesophagus and stomach, enlarged thyroid glands etc. The leaves are boiled with the mother's milk in order to treat babies nausea. The stems can be used as a medicine for treating convulsions in infants, whilst the branches and leaves are used for clearing away heat and cooling the blood.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial Climber


Height:
2 m
(6 1/2 foot)

Flowering:
June to
October

Habitat of the herb:

Thickets in hills and low mountains all over Japan. Grasslands in valleys, near roads and fields, 100 - 2900 metres.

Edible parts of Solanum lyratum:

Leaves - cooked. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation of Solanum lyratum:

Thickets in hills and low mountains all over Japan. Grasslands in valleys, near roads and fields, 100 - 2900 metres.

Known hazards of Solanum lyratum:

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many if not all the members have poisonous leaves and sometimes also the unripe fruits.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.