Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)Jimsonweed InformationDatura stramonium is the botanical name of the plant more commonly known as jimsonweed. Other common names for jimsonweed include angel's trumpet, devil's trumpet, jamestown weed, loco weed, moonflower, and thorn-apple. Jimsonweed is a member of the Datura genus of plants. The Datura genus is part of the Solanaceae family, more commonly known as the nightshade or potato family of plants. The Solanaceae family also includes belladonna, brugmansia, capsicum (used to make paprika and chili pepper), eggplant, mandrake, petunia, potato, tobacco, and tomato plants. Scientific Classification Of Datura stramonium
It is believed that Datura stramonium is a native of Asia and it was imported to Europe and then to temperate parts of North and South America. Some argue that it is native to North America. The name jimsonweed may be a corruption of Jamestown weed, after the town in Virginia to which it is first believed to have been imported to the USA from England. Description Of Datura stramoniumThere are between 9-11 species in the Datura genus and Datura stramonium is one of them. Some species of Datura are annuals, others, especially the cultivated species, are deciduous shrubs. All have big, irregularly toothed leaves and funnel-shaped, purplish or white flowers which form prickly fruit. The cultivated species of Datura, known as angel's trumpet, look slightly different. Datura stramonium is an annual, growing up to a height of 5 feet. Upon maturity, the plant releases tiny black seeds from spiny capsules. The flowers are trumpet shaped and either white or purple. A photo of the jimsonweed flower can be found here. Chemistry Of DaturaThe primary psychoactive chemicals in all plants in the Datura genus are the alkaloids scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine (also found in belladonna). All parts of the plant are psychoactive but the seeds, leaves, and flowers contain the highest level of alkaloids. The effects of all species of Datura are similar when ingested by humans. Effects of jimsonweed consumption can include intense thirst, headaches, nausea, fever, high blood pressure, dry mucous membranes, difficulty swallowing and speaking, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, hyperthermia (heatstroke), confusion, agitation, combative behavior, and hallucinations. How To Use DaturaDatura is a member of the potato or nightshade family, and like most other members of the family it can be toxic. Sometimes small doses of Datura are mildly pleasant, but at larger doses sizes losing touch with reality and hallucinations are common. The hallucinations experienced by people that consume Datura often include delirium, delusions, disorientation, and incoherent speech. At these high dose levels, users often do not recall what happened. Those who do remember will generally say it was a negative experience. Larger doses than those that produce hallucinations can cause unconsciousness or death. Ingesting Datura is not recommended, if you decide on trying it, do so with extreme caution. The seeds, leaves, and flowers can be eaten or smoked. Smoking is the mildest form of ingestion. Effects are felt within a few minutes, duration is shorter, and the negative side effects are minimal when compared with other methods of consumption. The amount of psychoactive compound available varies widely between plants, so it is not a good idea to assume that a given amount of Datura from one plant will allow you to calculate a safe dose size when material from another plant is ingested. Seeds can be consumed orally like they are, take 10 seeds or less the first time you try. If you require a larger amount for a stronger experience, increase the dose size by several seeds on future attempts and wait a week or more between attempts. To make tea use leaves or flowers, start at a dose of a gram or less, and increase the dose (by a gram or less) each time you try and wait a week or more between attempts. See this for more information about making herbal tea and other methods of consuming herbs. Effects occur within 30-180 minutes after ingestion. The alkaloids present in Datura slow the digestive process. Peak effects can last 24-36 hours, lesser symptoms can continue for 72 hours or more, and negative thoughts can persist for weeks. For those interested, you can buy Datura online. Flowers, foliage (leaves), and seeds are available. They ship from the US to most countries. Various species of Datura are available, all produce similar results. Related Books Stairways to Heaven Stairways to Heaven illustrates how such substances as peyote, jimsonweed, hallucinogenic mushrooms, LSD, marijuana, wine, and coffee have stimulated ecstatic revelations of spiritual truth and strengthened the social bonds that sustain communities of faith. The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants Information about almost every plant that has been used for medical, spiritual, or recreational purposes. Includes all the common and most of the less common plant drugs. This is the most thorough plant drug encyclopedia available at the present time. Contains about 20 pages of Datura info with 6 pages dedicated to Datura stramonium (Jimsonweed) including several color and black and white images. |
