What are the Uses and Health Benefits of Makoy (Solanum nigrum)?
The scientific name of Makoy is Solanum nigrum. The other name is Black Night Shade. It has characteristic features like it is the small, erect, soft and delicate herb of Ayurveda with smooth and soft branches and stems. Makoy has many medical benefits like- analgesic, reduces pain and inflammation, expectorant, sedative by nature, and diaphoretic properties. Makoy herb also manages the skin problems like burns, itching, and pain etc. if applied locally.
Description
Makoy is a common herb or short-lived shrub, found in many woody areas, as well as other habitats. It is of 12 to 47 inches, leaves are 1.6 to 3.0 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide and is ovate or heart-shaped. The flowers are greenish or whitish petals, which are curved and surround with bright yellow anthers. These makoy berries are purple-black to dull black in color and 6-8 mm in size. In India, these berries turn red when they are ripe.
Synonyms:-
- Sanskrit name: Kakamachi, Kakahva
- English: Common nightshade, Garden Night Shade
- Hindi: Makoy
- Kannada: Ganikayeagida, Ganikegida, Ganike,
- Marathi: Kamoni
- Urdu: Makoh, Mako
- Tamil: Manarthakkali, Manaththakkali
- Telugu: Kamanchi
- Punjabi: Mako
Sanskrit Synonyms:-
- Bahuphala: Has many fruits
- Sarvattikta, Bahutikta: Fruit have a bitter taste
- Gucchaphala: Fruits found in clusters
- Kustagni: Treats skin disease
- Kakini, Vayasi, Kakamachi, and Kakahva: The fruits are liked by crows.
Important Characteristic:-
Makoy is considered as poisonous plant. The leaves of the plant have the property of cleansing which when consumed results in too much of sweating. It improves and promotes the perspiration which helps in maintaining and managing overall body temperature.
Habitat:-
It is a weed of 30-45 cm, found in dry parts of India, the cultivation of this herbal plant is commonly seen on roadsides and gardens. S. nigrum is also distributed in temperate Asia, Africa, Japan, and Europe.
Parts Used:-
The whole plant, fresh leaves, fruits.
Classification
- Latin name: Solanum nigrum
- Family: Solanaceae
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Order: Solanales
- Genus: Solanum
- Species: S. nigrum
Medicinal Properties
- Rasa (Taste) - Tikta (Bitter)
- Guna (Qualities) - Snigdha (Slimy), Laghu (Light)
- Veerya (Potency) - Anushna (not hot)
- Vipaka - Katu (undergoes pungent taste after digestion)
- Karma (Actions) - Tridoshagna (reduces all three doshas)
Chemical Composition
The herb is loaded with chemical compositions like- Steroidal alkaloid glycosides, solasonine, alpha, sapogenin, diosgenin, epicatechin, gallic acid, rutin,naringenin, and few more.
Medicinal Uses of Makoy
- Expectorant
- Analgesic
- Sedative
- Diaphoretic
- Skin diseases
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiseptic
- Antibiotic
- Anti-allergic
- Anti-diabetic
- Cardio tonic
- Good herbal diuretic
Traditional Uses of Makoy
- Rasayani: Anti-aging, causes cells and tissues rejuvenation.
- Hrudya: Act as a cardiac tonic, congenial for the heart.
- Vrushya: Aphrodisiac, improves vigor.
- Sara: Induces mobility, causes diarrhea, purgation, relieves constipation.
- Svarya: Improves voice tone and quality.
- Netrahita: Good for eyes.
- Shukrada: Improves sperm quality.
