Black Nightshade (Kakamachi)

Black nightshade is a branching annual herb of the nightshade family found across Eurasia and now in most warm regions, including India. It has soft oval leaves, small white star-shaped flowers and clusters of berries that turn black or purple when ripe.

Known as Kakamachi in Sanskrit and Manathakkali in Malayalam, it has long been valued in Ayurveda and Siddha practice, and its leaves are cooked as greens in South India. It is used in traditional preparations for digestive and liver wellbeing. The whole plant and fruit are used. Unripe berries should be avoided.