Giant devil's-fig
StarSolanum chrysotrichum
Synonyms: Solanum warzcewiczoides, Solanum truncatum, Solanum warszewiczii, Solanum scorpioideum, Solanum pynaertii
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Mexican and Mesoamerican folk medicine, Solanum chrysotrichum ("sosa") is a well-known remedy for fungal skin infections. A decoction of the leaves (and fruits) is applied to treat tinea and ringworm and is used against seborrheic dermatitis and other dermatophyte conditions (Heinrich et al.). The antifungal activity is attributed to steroidal saponins (chrysotrichines/spirostanol saponins) and has been supported by pharmacological and clinical investigation against dermatophytes and Candida (Zamilpa et al., 2002; Herrera-Arellano et al., 2003).
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Botanical Description
Solanum chrysotrichum, the giant devil's-fig or "sosa," is a robust, prickly shrub of the family Solanaceae, growing to several metres tall. Its stems, leaf stalks and major veins are armed with stout, broad-based prickles and clothed in dense, golden-brown stellate hairs that give the plant a velvety, tawny appearance. The large leaves are broadly ovate and shallowly to deeply lobed, hairy on both surfaces. White, star-shaped flowers with prominent yellow anthers are borne in branched cymes and are followed by small, rounded, berry-like fruits that ripen yellowish to brown. Native to Mexico, Central America and parts of tropical South America, it is a plant of disturbed ground, forest edges, roadsides, clearings and second growth in warm, humid to subhumid regions, where it can form thickets.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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