Poison Berry

 The Poison Berry is a much- branched undershrub that grows to a height of 0.3 - 1.5 metres and belongs to the plant family Solanacaea. The plant is full of prickles and the stem is stout and often purple in colour with many hairs. The leaves are 5 -15 cm long, ovate and acute at the tip. The flowers are in racemose cymes or inflorescences. The corolla is 8 mm in diameter and are dark red or yellow when ripe. The seeds are minutely pitted.

MEDICINAL USE:

* Antipruritic or prevents itching, hair- tonic and analgesic or a painkiller.
* Anthelmintic or used against worm infestation, indigestion, colic or stomachache.

* Cardiac tonic, blood purifier and in oedema.
* Cough, asthma, rhinitis and sore throat.
* Amenorrhoea or absence of menstruation, dysmenorrhoea or painful menstruation and puerperal disorders or problems linked with childbirth.

HOW TO USE:

* The decoction of the root is applied externally as antipruritic, as hair- tonic and analgesic.
* The decoction of the seeds is used against worm infestation, indigestion, and colic.
* The decoction of the fruit and seeds help as cardiac tonic, blood purifier and oedema.
* Inhalation of the steam from the boiled fruits and seeds will take care of cough, asthma, rhinitis and sore throat.
* The decoction of the root will take care of the gynecological problems of amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea and puerperal disorders.



PARTS USED:

The roots, fruits and seeds.

DOSE:

Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp


1 litre = 7 or 8 cups