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"Edible Parts: Fruit; Leaves.
Fruit - cooked[2, 27, 89, 179]. Used in preserves, jams and
pies[183]. A pleasant musky taste[85]. Somewhat like a tomato, but
much less pleasant, it improves slightly after a frost. Only the
fully ripe fruits should be used, the unripe fruits contain the
toxin solanine. The fruit is about 9mm in diameter. Young leaves and
new shoots - raw or cooked as a potherb or added to soups. This
plant is cultivated as a leaf crop in some areas, but see the notes
at the top of the page regarding possible toxicity.
Medicinal Uses
Antiperiodic; Antiphlogistic; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Emollient;
Febrifuge; Narcotic; Purgative; Sedative.
The whole plant is antiperiodic, antiphlogistic, diaphoretic,
diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, narcotic, purgative and sedative. It
is harvested in the autumn when both flowers and fruit are upon the
plant, and is dried for later use. Use with caution, see notes above
on toxicity. The leaves, stems and roots are used externally as a
poultice, wash etc in the treatment of cancerous sores, boils,
leucoderma and wounds. Extracts of the plant are analgesic,
antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and vasodilator. The plant has been
used in the manufacture of locally analgesic ointments and the juice
of the fruit has been used as an analgesic for toothaches. |
