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Horse Nettle
Description
Horse nettle, a prickly plant, has violet, star-shaped flowers in small clusters. The stamens form a yellow cone in the middle of the flower. Its leaves are coarsely toothed or lobed. Horse nettle stands one to four feet high and is seen in the summer and fall (Newcomb 1977).
History
Horse nettle has been used as an antispasmodic and sedative, most probably first by American Indians. African Americans in the South once usedthe root and berries for seizures and menstrual problems (Le Strange 1977). Horse nettle berries were also once used as a topical treatment for mange in dogs. American Indians used leaf tea sore throats or to treat worms; a topical preparation of leaves was used for poison-ivy rash (Foster 1990).
Current Medicinal Uses
Horse nettle is not commonly used medicinally today. See Adverse Effects.
Adverse Effects
Horse nettle contains solanine, a toxic alkaloid. All parts of horse nettle are poisonous, and ingestion of the fruit can cause death. Symptoms of poisoning include fever, headache, a scratchy feeling in the throat followed by nause, vomiting, and diarrhea. Ingestion of the unripe fruit causes abdominal pain and can cause circulatory and respiratory depression (Lewis 1998).
Horse Nettle
Description
Horse nettle, a prickly plant, has violet, star-shaped flowers in small clusters. The stamens form a yellow cone in the middle of the flower. Its leaves are coarsely toothed or lobed. Horse nettle stands one to four feet high and is seen in the summer and fall (Newcomb 1977).
History
Horse nettle has been used as an antispasmodic and sedative, most probably first by American Indians. African Americans in the South once usedthe root and berries for seizures and menstrual problems (Le Strange 1977). Horse nettle berries were also once used as a topical treatment for mange in dogs. American Indians used leaf tea sore throats or to treat worms; a topical preparation of leaves was used for poison-ivy rash (Foster 1990).
Current Medicinal Uses
Horse nettle is not commonly used medicinally today. See Adverse Effects.
Adverse Effects
Horse nettle contains solanine, a toxic alkaloid. All parts of horse nettle are poisonous, and ingestion of the fruit can cause death. Symptoms of poisoning include fever, headache, a scratchy feeling in the throat followed by nause, vomiting, and diarrhea. Ingestion of the unripe fruit causes abdominal pain and can cause circulatory and respiratory depression (Lewis 1998).