Distribución
Amazonas, Cajamarca, Cuzco, Huánuco, Junín, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Piura, San Martín. Presente en la mayor parte de zonas tropicales y cálidas del mundo.

Usos

Hojas
Infecciones de la piel (Riwi): Las hojas estrujadas se aplican directamente, en forma de emplasto sobre la región afectada por el riwi (Herpes zoster).

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Clima:
cálido, templado y frío. Crece entre los 0 y los 3.000 metros sobre el nivel del mar
Partes utilizadas:
hojas y frutos.
USOS MEDICINALES
Externos:
- Las hojas y los frutos maduros se aplican sobre la piel y sirven como antiinflamatorio, para cicatrizar heridas y tratar  infecciones.
- Las hojas y los frutos maduros se aplican sobre la piel y sirven para tratar la culebrilla o herpes zóster
PRECAUCIONES - Toxicidad
Las hojas y los frutos verdes son tóxicos cuando se consumen. Solo se deben usar externamente.------------------------

Origin
The species is native to the region between Mexico and Costa Rica and grows in the open field and in mixed forests between 1500 and 3900 m a.s.l. (GUPTA 1995).

Occurrence
The plant grows on hills and river banks. It is found in Cuba, the West Indies, Guatemala (GUPTA 1995). In Venezuela it is common in uncultivated

Ethnobotanical and general use

Nutritional use
The leaves are cooked as soups or eaten fried with eggs. The vegetable is found in country markets and is eaten in great quantities. It is particularly consumed during convalescence and during recuperation from diverse diseases.

Medical use
Leaves, roots, fruits and seeds are used. Leaf. For skin conditions, such as scabies, ringworm, leprosy, pustules, warts, erysipelas, exan theme, acne, d ermatitis, eczema, ulcers, and abscesses, a decoction is prepared and is applied locally or in the form of a bath. Arthritis is cured in the same way. The decoction is taken orally during digestive disorders, against asthma, amygdalitis, a naemia, cirrhosis, colics, diarrhoea, toothache, scorbut, constipation, gastritis, meningitis, malaria, high blood pressure, retention of urine, rheumatism, whooping cough, gastric ulcer, stomachache and nervousness. Leaf tea is taken for fatigue and heat. Infusion is ingested for constipation. A mouthwash is used for boils on lips and tongue. A vaginal lavage is applied for gynaecological diseases (leucorrhoea). A sitz-bath of leaves or leaves and roots cures haemorrhoids. Cataplasms help against burns, tumours, herpes, ulcers. A cataplasm or decoction heals wounds. Leaf juice is used for asthma. Sap of the leaves applied on the eyes produces dilation of the pupils. Leaf juice in syrup is used as an expectorant. In Venezuela it is used as the main remedy against herpes zoster. Root. Root in decoction and applied as a sitzbath cures haemorrhoids. Fruit. Fruit is used against skin conditions (see above). Seed. Seed helps against sinusitis.

Root. Root in decoction and applied as a sitzbath cures haemorrhoids. Fruit. Fruit is used against skin conditions (see above). Seed. Seed helps against sinusitis.

Healing properties
An infusion of the leaves has spasmolytic effects. It inhibits spasm due to the effects of muscarine and musculotropic mechanisms (GUPTA 1995). Leaves have appetite stimulant, sedative, purifying, diuretic, antiinflammatory, emollient, antipyretic, for recovery, wound healing (disinfectant) effects; they have antibiotic activities, being antibacterial (Staphylococcus aureus) as well as antimycotic (Candida albicans). The fresh fruit is antiparasitic, diuretic, narcotic, disinfectant and toxic. During ripening, the fruit looses more and more of its toxicity.

Chemical contents
The most important chemical contained is the glycosidal alkaloid solanine. The antibiotic activity of the plant is attributed to this substance.

Toxicity
Leaf and fruit are toxic. However, with ripening, the fruit looses more and more of its toxic character. By boiling, the plant looses much of its toxicity. The plant is therefore not generally regarded as dangerous. Furthermore, the alkaloids are poorly absorbed and rapidly detoxified by the human body (SEAFORTH, ADAMS & SYLVESTER 1983).

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Uses: inflammation.                                                 

Origin: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Caribbean, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, South Africa, Suriname, United States, Venezuela.    

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Whole plant: Decoction used as a blood purifier and to expel worms. Vermifuge and antispasmodic. Locally recommended for cardialgia, corroding ulcers, suppurating cancers, deep wounds, skin diseases such as dartre, and for use in cataplasms for kidney pain.

Stem and Leaf: In Guyana, used in a tea for improved kidney function.

Root: Root is washed clean, boiled with water, mixed with lime juice and a pinch of salt, and is drunk as an anti-malarial, by the Guyana Patamona.

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Origin
“Cariri Paraibano”, Brazil
Medicinal indication
- External ulcers: Leaves
- Against insomnias: Leaves

1) South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.

2) Geraldini , Isanete, Journal of Ethnopharmacology v. 173, 2015 . -- p. 383-423

3) Robertt, A., et al.. Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana)/Smithsonian NMNH. cited online: 17-08-2017

4) Mejía, Kember; Rengifo, Eisa /Plantas medicinales de uso popular en la Amazonía Peruana.-- Lima : Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional, 2000. -- p. 286

5) Fundación secretos para contar/ Los secretos de las plantas: 50 plantas medicinales en su huerta. - Medellin: Colombia, 2014. - p. 124.

6) M.F. Agra; et al/ Medicinal and poisonous diversity of the flora of “Cariri Paraibano”, Brazil/ Journal of Ethnopharmacology 111 (2007), p. 393.