Dried NightShade / Manathakkali Vathal

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Tracheophytes

Family: Solanaceae

Genus: Solanum

Species: S. nigrum

Black Nightshade or Manathakkali has great health benefits. Anyone can consume any part of this plant. All parts of this plant have a lot of medicinal properties. The native of this herbal plant is Tropical India, Africa, Hawai, Indochina, and Madagascar. In India, the Nightshade leaves are used to treat mouth and stomach ulcers, stomach upset, cold, and piles.

By using the fruits and leaves of the nightshade, it is used to make some healthy dishes like manathakkali gravies, curries, smashed manathakkali leaves, and other dishes. The Black nightshade can be eaten raw and some people use the dried Nightshade in some vegan recipes.

Health Benefits

• Nightshade has a good amount of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins, and phytosterols, so it helps to treat constipation.
• It is an excellent source of anti-cancer properties that prevent the growth of breast cancer and mouth cancer cells.
• Traditionally, Nightshade is suggested for diabetic patients, it will stabilize the blood sugar level.
• Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of this herb, it can be used internally and externally to reduce inflammation.
• People can consume fresh nightshade fruits for asthma, it has a good level of anti-asthma properties.