Kakamachi

Description

The manathakkali plant, or Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum), is a small, annual plant with tender, dark green, oval leaves and tiny, white or purple flowers. It produces small fruits that are initially green but turn deep blue or black when ripe. The plant is known for its culinary uses in South Indian cuisine, especially for its nutritious leaves and fruits, as well as its significant medicinal properties, particularly for digestive issues like stomach and mouth ulcers. Key Characteristics Botanical Name:Solanum nigrum Common Names:Black Nightshade, Wonder Berry, Sun Berry Appearance:A small, herbaceous plant, typically growing to about one meter in height. It has delicate stems and branches. Leaves:Dark green, oval-shaped, and alternate. Flowers:Small, white or violet, with five petals, growing in clusters from the leaf axils. Fruit:Small berries that are deep blue or black when mature. Culinary & Medicinal Uses Leaves:Used as a leafy green in South Indian dishes, including soups, curries, and dals. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Fruits:The ripe berries are considered delicious and are used in cooking, including in some appetisers. They are sometimes sun-dried for preservation. Medicinal Properties:The leaves and fruits are known for their ability to cure stomach and mouth ulcers, help with indigestion and constipation, and reduce inflammation. The leaves are a good source of Vitamin A, B, and C, as well as iron, calcium, and phosphorus. Growing Conditions Climate:Thrives in warm, tropical, and humid conditions, ideal for the summer and monsoon seasons in India. Sunlight:Requires full sunlight for 6-8 hours a day. Soil:Grows well in well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic compost or manure. Care:Needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Blacknight shade Seeds - Manathakkali keerai, Solanum nigrum, ... The botanical name is Solanum nigrum and the English name is 'Black night shade', Sun berry or 'wonder berry'.

Useful Parts

Fruit, whole plant

Benefits

nan

Pharmacological Action

Chemical constituents of Solanum nigrum: The berries contain steroidal alkaloid glycosides, solasonine, alpha- and beta-solanigrine, alpha-and beta- solamargine; steroidal sapogenins, diosgenin and tigogenin; solasodine and solasodine. Solamargine and solasonine are also present in leaves. Leaves contain highest tigogenin content (0.5%), dry fruits contain chlorogenic (0.06%), cafeic (0.02), traces of neochlorogenic & isochlorogenic acids and caffeoylglucose (0.01%).

Rasapancakam

Rasa: Tikta

Guna: Laghu, Snigdha

Virya: Sita

Vipaka: Katu

Dosha Karma: Tridoshagna