Educational information on traditional homeopathic use only. Not medical advice.
Dulcamara is a homeopathic remedy made from bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara), a climbing plant of the nightshade family. In traditional homeopathic use it is associated with complaints that come on after cold, damp weather or a sudden chill, such as colds, stiff aching joints and skin flare-ups. It is usually taken as pillules or drops, or as one ingredient in joint, skin and children's combination formulas.
Dulcamara at a glance
- Source: the green stems and leaves of bittersweet, a woody nightshade of damp hedgerows
- Traditional keynote: complaints brought on by cold, wet weather or a sudden temperature drop
- Classic modalities: worse in cold and damp, and when warm days turn cold; better for warmth and dryness
- Typical potencies: 6C or 30C; higher with a practitioner
- Ask first if: pregnant, breastfeeding, or giving to a child
What is Dulcamara and where does it come from?
Dulcamara is prepared from the green stems and leaves of bittersweet, a woody nightshade found in damp hedgerows. It is potentised through dilution and succussion for homeopathic use, so the remedy carries the plant's cold-damp signature rather than a herbal amount. The raw plant is poisonous, so never eat the berries or leaves; the homeopathic remedy is a different thing entirely.
What is Dulcamara used for in homeopathy?
The unifying theme in the Dulcamara picture is cold, wet weather. It is classically associated with:
- Colds from getting chilled and damp, especially after warm days turn cold
- Stiff, aching joints and back that worsen in cold, wet conditions
- Skin eruptions and warts that flare with damp weather
- Hives brought on by cold in the traditional literature
- Late-summer to autumn complaints tied to sudden temperature drops
The characteristic person reliably reacts to cold, damp changes: a chill after a rainy evening, or stiffness that sets in with wet weather. This clear weather link is what distinguishes Dulcamara from other remedies. Skin changes such as a new or changing wart or mole, or swelling of the lips and face, should always be seen by a doctor.
Dulcamara potency: 6C, 30C or 200C?
Dulcamara is generally used in low potencies such as 6C or 30C for self-care, as pillules or drops. A lower potency is often chosen for a simple, recent picture, 30C is a popular general-purpose strength, and 200C or higher is usually left to a homeopath. In combination formulas the potency is set by the maker (for example 6X in CalcoHeel and D3 in Zeel T), so follow the label.
Traditional dosage: what product labels say
We do not currently stock a single-remedy Dulcamara pillule, but it features in several formulas. Follow the pack you have. The pages for these products give:
- CalcoHeel Tablets (Dulcamara 6X with Chamomilla, Calcarea carbonica and Carbo vegetabilis): in general 1 tablet dissolved in the mouth three times daily.
- Zeel T (Solanum dulcamara among many ingredients): tablets, 1 tablet dissolved in the mouth three times daily; ampoules, 1 ampoule 1-3 times weekly; ointment, applied to the affected area morning and evening.
- Guna Arthro Drops (Dulcamara 6X/8X/12X): 10 drops three times a day.
- Viburcol (Solanum dulcamara D4, a children's formula in vials and suppositories): dosage depends on age, with labelled amounts for infants and for children aged 1 to 6, so follow the pack and ask a practitioner for young children.
Who should avoid Dulcamara?
- Anyone allergic to nightshade-family plants or any ingredient on the label.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: ask your practitioner or pharmacist first.
- Children: ask a practitioner, and for babies a doctor or health visitor first.
- Anyone with a high temperature, breathing difficulty, severe or spreading rash, or joint swelling with heat and redness: see a doctor.
How does Dulcamara differ from similar remedies?
- Rhus toxicodendron is also worse in damp weather, but stiffness eases with continued gentle movement; Dulcamara is more about the chill and weather change itself.
- Apis mellifica is for hot, stinging, puffy, rosy swellings that feel better for cold. See the Apis Mellifica guide.
- Colchicum also flares in cold, damp autumn weather but with touch-sensitive joints and nausea. See the Colchicum guide.
Frequently asked questions
What plant is Dulcamara made from?
It is made from bittersweet, Solanum dulcamara, a nightshade-family climber, prepared homeopathically from the green parts.
What is Dulcamara traditionally used for?
It is classically associated with complaints that come on from cold, damp weather: colds, stiff joints and skin flare-ups.
What does Dulcamara 30C do?
30C is simply the potency, a dilution step. Dulcamara 30C is traditionally chosen for the cold-damp picture described above; it is not a treatment for any named disease.
What potency is Dulcamara usually used in?
It is commonly found in low potencies such as 6C or 30C. Potency choice is individual and a homeopath can advise.
Is Dulcamara homeopathy safe, as the plant is poisonous?
The raw plant is poisonous, but the homeopathic remedy is highly diluted and prepared very differently. As with any remedy, follow the label and ask a practitioner if you are unsure.
Shop remedies containing Dulcamara
Keep reading
- Apis Mellifica: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
- Podophyllum: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
- Colchicum: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
- Ruta Graveolens: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
- Natrum Sulphuricum: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
Browse more
Homeopathic medicines are not a substitute for medical care.
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