Brihati / Poison Berry / Solanum indicum

What Is Brihati (Solanum indicum)?

Plant Morphology & Physical Description:

Brihati (Solanum indicum) is a prickly, heavily branching shrub that can reach heights of 1 to 5 meters and is typically scattered. The younger branches of this plant have densely accumulated tiny star-shaped hairs. The 1- to 5 cm long spines are a brilliant golden color. The leaves are broad, straightforward, oval-shaped, and prickly in the central vein. They are about 10 cm long. Their 2 cm long, purple flowers are tinted.

When the fruits are ripe, they are 1.5-2 cm in diameter and reddish to dark golden in hue. The seeds are silky with very few pits. Long and pale yellowish-brown in hue, roots. Brihati has a 2.5 cm diameter and is woody, cylindrical, ribbed, and well-developed. It has several secondary roots with branches, is fractured, short, and splintery, and lacks a specific odor or flavor. Its surface is rough due to the presence of longitudinal striations and root scars.

Chemical Composition of Solanum indicum:

Wax, fatty acids, and the alkaloids solanine make up the fruit and root of this plant. It has also been discovered that the fruits of this plant contain far more phosphorus than calcium. Carotene, carpesterol, solanocarpone, diosogenin, B-sitosterol, lanosterol, solasonine, solamargine, solasodine, vitamin C, and solanidine are additional chemical substances that have been identified in this plant.

Systemic Classification of Solanum indicum:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Family: Solanaceae
• Genus: Solanum
• Species: Indicum

Where Does Brihati Grow? (Habitat & Distribution)

Up to 1500 meters above sea level, brihati can be found in tropical and subtropical regions of India and Nepal. This plant can be found all across India, typically in open scrubland, along the side of the road, and in waste areas.

Common Names & Regional Synonyms of Brihati:

• English Name - African Eggplant, Bush Tomato, Poison Berry, Indian Nightshade
• Hindi Name - Badi Kateri, Vanabhanta
• Punjabi Name - Kandiarivadd
• Telugu Name - Pedda Mulaka, Tella Mulaka
• Bengali Name - Rambegun, Vyakud
• Tamil Name - Anachundai, Papparamalli
• Kannada Name - Heggulla, Gulla, Kirugullia
• Marathi Name - Dorali
• Assamese Name - Tilabhakuri
• Gujarati Name - Ubhi ringani
• Urdu Name - Kateli
• Farsi Name - Katai Kalaam

Ayurvedic Properties of Brihati:

Brihati is considered one of the best herbal remedies in Ayurveda for illnesses like colds, coughs, sore throats, and asthma. It works as a diuretic, digestive, and heart-healthy herbal appetizer.

Rasa, Guna, Virya & Vipaka:

Effects on Vata & Kapha Doshas:

It balances Kapha and Vata doshas.

Classical Categorization (Charak, Sushruta & Vagbhata):

Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses of Brihati:

A. Respiratory & Throat Health Benefits:

• It has been regarded by Ayurveda as one of the best herbs for treating asthma, colds, coughs, and sore throats.
• It is helpful in cases of chronic respiratory diseases like asthma.
• Helminthes, hard urination, scorpion stings, recurrent fevers, chest pain, catarrh, and asthma are a few additional ailments that can benefit from the application of this herb.
• In addition to being diaphoretic, expectorant, and stimulant, Solanum indicum contains antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective properties.

B. Digestive & Gastrointestinal Uses:

• Brihati is a herb that helps with digestive issues and works well for hunger, indigestion, diarrhea, gas, and intestinal worms.
• Effectively strengthens digestion.
• This herb is a helpful treatment for diarrhea, IBS, and malabsorption syndrome since it has an absorbent quality.
• Brihati has carminative properties.
• Brihati can aid with abdominal colic pain relief as well.
• Plant that is effective in treating anorexia.

C. Cardiac & Circulatory Support:

• This herb improves the condition of edema and stimulates and strengthens the heart. It also helps with cardiac diseases and Ayurvedic cardiac care.
• It works well as an anti-inflammatory and can reduce fever and vomiting.
• It efficiently detoxifies the blood.

D. Urinary Tract & Kidney Benefits:

• Being a diuretic, it has positive effects on urinary calculi and dysuria.

E. Women's Health & Reproductive Uses:

• The ability of these seeds to increase uterine contraction has led to their usage in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, difficult labor, and illnesses associated with the post-delivery (post-partum) period.
• It works well to treat female infertility.
• It can aid with issues with semen ejaculation, and the paste made from its seeds is applied to the penis to enhance erection.

F. Skin, Hair & External Applications:

• A potent herbal treatment for skin conditions.
• Alopecia is treated by applying its juice extract externally.
• The juice of this plant has been used to cure gout, ringworm, and earaches.

G. Neurological & Oral Health Uses:

• Useful for neurological diseases caused by Vata.
• A very effective herbal remedy for maintaining oral hygiene that can eliminate tongue coating, reduce bad smells in the mouth, and cure toothaches with juice.

Which Parts of Brihati Are Used?

• Root
• Fruit

Recommended Dosage of Brihati:

• 2–3 grams of powder, three times per day.
• Three times daily, take one ounce (30 ml) of the decoction.

Caution & Safety Notes:

• No adverse effects have been reported.
• It is preferable to seek medical advice before using this herb if you are pregnant or have young children.