Reclaiming the Right to Heal
Why We Must Re-Legalize Nature.
The war on drugs didn’t stop with powder in baggies or pills in bottles. It’s crept into gardens, forests, and the weeds growing in your backyard. The plant Solanum nigrum — commonly dismissed as “poisonous nightshade” — is one of countless examples of nature vilified by policy, not by truth.
Yes, it contains alkaloids. So does coffee. So does opium. So does Tylenol, if we’re being honest about toxicity. However, unlike these corporate-approved, heavily marketed substances, Solanum nigrum isn’t profitable. It grows for free. You can’t patent it. And so it’s been filed under “dangerous” by default, with very little nuance.
What most people don’t know is that this plant has been used for centuries — responsibly, effectively — to treat inflammation, ulcers, liver issues, and more. In fact, the ripe berries are still used in traditional medicine systems across India, China, and parts of Africa. They’re also edible in several culinary traditions. But if someone were to dry those berries and label them for sale online in the U.S., they’d likely be charged under vague FDA rules — or worse, accused of distributing a “toxic substance,” even if no one was harmed, and everyone involved operated with full and total transparency.
Let’s be clear: prohibition doesn’t protect. It restricts knowledge, demonizes history, and criminalizes autonomy. It turns ancient medicine into contraband and makes you a suspect for daring to grow your own, or take your health into your own hands.
So, what’s actually inside this humble plant? And why are some cultures still using it without fear? Read more about it on johnnypoppyseed.com.
