Nightshades are foods and herbs that contain one or more of the natural plant defense compounds: calcitriol, solanine, nicotine and capsaicin
These compounds are high in the following foods:
- Tomatoes
- Tomatillos
- Potatoes
- Eggplants
- Peppers – all peppers including bell peppers, banana peppers, chili peppers, habanero and red pepper seasonings like paprika, chili powder, cayenne and curry
- Pimentos
- Goji berries
- Ground cherries
- Ashwagandha (an ayurvedic herb and considered an “adaptogen”)
- Tobacco
- Cape gooseberries (not normal gooseberries)
- Garden huckleberries (not blueberries)
- On labels, terms like “spices” and “natural flavors” often contain the above seasonings.
Similar sounding foods that are NOT nightshades: Sweet Potatoes and Peppercorns (black, white and pink)
Symptoms of nightshade sensitivity include:
- weakness
- headache
- stiffness in the morning or after sitting for long periods
- somnolence
- nausea
- vomiting
- dry mouth
- constipation
- muscle pain
- bone pain
- metallic taste
For more information, I recommend this explanation from the Weston A Price Foundation.