Long Kui龙葵
Solani Nigri Herba · Black Nightshade Herb · Common Nightshade
Overview
The whole above-ground plant of black nightshade, gathered in summer or autumn and dried. Bitter, slightly sweet and cold, it clears heat and resolves toxicity for hot, angry swellings, and at the same time moves blood and drains water — an unusual combination that places it in formulas for abscesses, for traumatic swelling, and for oedema with hot painful urination. Modern Chinese practice also uses it as a supportive herb alongside conventional cancer treatment; that is adjunctive care and nothing more.
Nature & Flavor
Bitter, slightly sweet · ColdChannels
Lung · BladderTypical Dosage
15–30 g in decoctionActions
3 core actions
- Clears heat, resolves toxicityBoils, carbuncles, erysipelas and other hot swellings, taken internally and applied as a poultice of the fresh herb.
- Invigorates blood, reduces swellingSwelling and pain after injury, and firm inflammatory lumps.
- Promotes urination, reduces oedemaOedema with scanty, hot or painful urination.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Long Kui
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Boils, abscesses and erysipelas
- Hot inflammatory swellings and swelling after injury
- Oedema with scanty, hot or painful urination
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Long Kui is a nightshade, and the family carries solanine-type alkaloids: the unripe green berries in particular have caused poisoning — most often in children who eat them — with vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness and confusion. Take only the dispensed herb, only within the stated dose, and never gather or eat the fresh plant or its berries. Bitter and cold, it is unsuitable in Spleen–Stomach deficiency cold with loose stools, and courses should be short and supervised. A spreading skin infection, or a lump still under investigation, needs medical assessment; where it is used alongside cancer treatment it supports that treatment and does not replace it.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy — it is cold, it moves blood, and the nightshade family's alkaloid concerns apply
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
2. 《中华本草》.
3. 《中药大辞典》.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.