Datura - Jimson Weed
Datura is also known by many other names for example Jimson Weed, Devil’s Apple, Thorn Apple, and the Holy Flower of the North Star to name a few. Is is a flowering plant belonging to the solanacea family, and it’s related with other plants such as Belladonna, Henbane, and Mandrake.
Typical for the outlook of Datura is a large white trumpet-like flower and spiney seed pods.
It has been used by the shamans of South Africa and Europe, and it is also known to commonly cause poisoning in users who don’t know its effects.
The active substances in Datura are atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. Due to these substances Datura causes delirium-like states which include e.g. the incapability to differentiate between fantasy and real world. The effects can also include more normal effects of poisoning such as pain.
Generally speaking Datura is not a good herb to be used recreationally. By reading the reports on this field tell the feeling after ingesting Datura is both mentally and physically unpleasant. Datura is easy to grow and can be bought from some online stores.
“Jimsonweed- Annual; 2-5 ft. Leaves coarse-toothed. Flowers white to pale violet; 3-5 in., trumpet shaped; May-Sept. Seedpods spiny, chambered. Whole plant contains atrophine, scopolamine, and othe alkaloids; used in eye diseases (atrophine dialates pupils); causes dry mouth, depresses bladder muscled, impedes action of parasympathetic nerves, used in Parkinson’s Disease; also contains scopolamine, used in patches behind ear for vertigo. Leaves were once smoked as an antispasmodic of athsma. Folk Cancer remedy.
WARNING: VIOLENTLY TOXIC. Causes severe hallucinations, many fatalities recorded. Those who collect this plant may end up with swollen eyelids.”
Peterson Feild Guides, Medicinal Plants an herbs - Steven Foster and James A. Duke.
Comment by Arokachikachaka — July 2, 2009 @ 4:39 pm