Page 51 - Spring2010

Hallucinations can happen, and a rare side effect is overt psychosis. Re- the gene expression of the human intestinal cell
member what was said to happen when one eats eggplant every day for a linings and also inhibits proteolytic enzyme ac-
month? tivity. Solanines also destroy human liver cells
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in vitro.
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SOLANINE I have found fourteen research reviews link-
Solanine is a glycoalkaloid, that is, a non-protein compound containing ing potato blight in Ireland with birth defects in
nitrogen. It is a potent poison found in species of the nightshade family, the following years. Potato blight involves a
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especially potatoes and eggplant. It can occur naturally in any part of the particular fungus growing on potatoes, causing
plant, including the leaves, fruit, and tubers. them to kick in their defense mechanisms and
Solanine poisoning is primarily displayed by gastrointestinal and make high levels of solanine. In my opinion, it
neurological disorders. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, would be wise for pregnant women to avoid the
stomach cramps, burning of the throat, cardiac dysrhythmia, headache nightshades.
and dizziness. Hallucinations, loss of sensation, paralysis, fever, jaundice,
dilated pupils and hypothermia have been reported in more severe cases. 5 NICOTINE
Potatoes naturally produce solanine and chaconine, a related gly- All nightshades contain nicotine, which is
coalkaloid, as a defense mechanism against insects, disease and predators why they can be addictive. Is nicotine a problem
(humans included). Potato leaves, stems and shoots are naturally high in when we eat it? A large body of research shows
these glycoalkaloids. When potato tubers are exposed to light, they turn that nicotine consumption inhibits proper heal-
green and increase glycoalkaloid production. This is a natural defense to ing. In one study, nicotine delayed tendon-to-
help prevent the uncovered tuber from being eaten. bone healing in a rat shoulder—the equivalent of
In potato tubers, 30–80 percent of the solanine develops in and close to our rotator cuff. A follow-up study by the same
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the skin. If the potato looks green under the skin, throw it away; likewise authors showed that delayed healing in tendon-
if it has begun to sprout, just discard it. to-bone injuries resulted in inferior permanent
How toxic are these compounds? The World Health Organization healing of the area. 13
sets an upper limit of 20 mg per 100 grams of solanine per fresh weight
of potato. Above that limit, they cannot be sold in stores, as they are con- CAPSAICIN
sidered too toxic for human consumption. 6 Capsaicin is an alkaloid found in hot pep-
Solanine and related glycoalkaloids are poisonous because they are pers. We hear a lot about capsaicin suppos-
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors—they inhibit the breakdown of acetylcho- edly having anti-inflammatory properties, but
line, resulting in increased level and duration of action of this neurotrans- it actually is an irritant for mammals, including
mitter. What does this mean? They cause prolonged muscle contractions. humans, and produces a sensation of burning in
This is why people who are sensitive to nightshades or eat a lot of them any tissue it comes in contact with.
often feel stiff when they wake up in the morning or sit for extended pe- Spicy peppers are the only plants that con-
riods. tain capsaicin, to my knowledge. The active
Studies with animals indicate that solanine causes cell membrane ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin. It can
disruption in the digestive tract—exacerbated irritable bowel disorder shut down the lungs—this is why some people
in mice, gastrointestinal tissue destroyed in Syrian hamsters. It affects have died from pepper spray. Asthmatics would
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NIGHTSHADES IN MEDICINE

Many of the alkaloids in the nightshade plants are extremely toxic; yet they have many uses in medicine if adminis-
tered in extremely small dosages. They can serve as an antidote to poisoning caused by pesticides and chemical warfare
agents such as sarin and Vx. They are also used to halt—but not cure—many types of allergic reactions. Scopolamine,
a commonly used ophthamological agent, dilates the pupils and thus facilitates examination of the interior of the eye.
Nightshade compounds are also used as antiemetics in people prone to motion sickness or receiving chemotherapy.
Some of the most interesting uses of nightshades occur in homeopathy. Belladonna was one of the first homeopathic
remedies, developed in 1799 by Samuel Hahnemann for scarlet fever, after he observed that symptoms of deadly night-
shade poisoning closely matched those of scarlet fever. Belladonna now serves as a major homeopathy remedy for acute
illnesses of sudden, violent onset. Other homeopathic remedies derived from the nightshade family include Stramonium,
Hyoscamus, Tabacum, Dulcamara and Capsicum. Note that all of the “food nightshades” are used as homeopathic rem-
edies as well. For those of you familiar with homeopathic theory and the “similimum,” it may start to make sense to you
that eating significant amounts these foods could cause symptoms of disease in a healthy person.

SPRING 2010 Wise Traditions 51