This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Loading...
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Solanum tomentosm
Free herbal dosage calculator — adult & child doses by weight.
Solanum tomentosum contains steroidal alkaloids including solamargine, solasonine, and tomatidine, which are responsible for its biological activity. These compounds demonstrate anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties through modulation of inflammatory pathways and disruption of microbial cell membranes. The steroidal glycoalkaloids may also inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, contributing to its traditional use for arthritis and joint pain. Evidence Level: C (preclinical studies).
There is limited clinical data on specific drug interactions for Solanum tomentosum. However, due to its alkaloid content and potential hepatotoxic effects, it should be used cautiously with medications metabolized by the liver. It may interact with anti-inflammatory drugs, potentially enhancing effects or increasing gastrointestinal irritation. Patients taking immunosuppressants or medications affecting liver function should avoid this herb without professional guidance. Evidence Level: C (theoretical based on constituent profile).
Solanum tomentosum is primarily used topically in traditional medicine. Internal use requires small decoctions prepared under professional guidance due to alkaloid toxicity risks. No standardized clinical dosage exists. Traditional practitioners typically prepare weak decoctions for short-term use only. Self-medication with oral preparations is strongly discouraged. Topical applications for skin conditions should be limited to affected areas and discontinued if irritation occurs. Evidence Level: Traditional/C.
Solanum tomentosum is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The steroidal alkaloids present, including solamargine and solasonine, may cause uterine stimulation and fetal toxicity. Traditional use records and toxicological understanding of Solanum species indicate significant risk. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should avoid all forms of this herb. Evidence Level: C (based on constituent toxicity profile and traditional contraindications).
Solanum tomentosum has been used in Zulu and Xhosa traditional medicine primarily for treating skin diseases and conditions. It is also employed as a remedy for arthritis and joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the plant serves as an insect deterrent in folk practices. The herb contains antimicrobial compounds that may support its topical dermatological applications. Evidence Level: C (traditional use documentation with limited clinical validation).
Solanum tomentosum can cause nausea and gastrointestinal irritation, particularly with oral use. The alkaloid content poses toxicity risks including potential liver stress, especially in individuals with pre-existing liver disease. Children are particularly vulnerable to alkaloid toxicity and should not use this herb. Topical application may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Discontinue use immediately if adverse symptoms develop and seek medical attention. Evidence Level: C (based on constituent profile and traditional knowledge).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 1 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.