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 effects of all species of Datura are similar when ingested. Small doses drain energy and make the user feel tired. Larger doses cause hallucinations. The Datura genus (that Datura stramonium belongs to) is part of the Solanaceaen family, more commonly known as the nightshade or potato family of plants. The Solanaceae family also includes belladonna, capsicum (used to make paprika and chili pepper), eggplant, jimsonweed, 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. The name jimsonweed is 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 more than 10 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 Datura stramoniumThe primary psychoactive substances in Datura stramonium are the alkaloids atropine and scopolamine (also found in belladonna). Atropine has been used in treating Parkinson's disease, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, and bronchial asthma. It is also used to treat nerve gas poisoning. Scopolamine is available by prescription primarily for treating motion sickness. Scopolamine has also been used as an adulterant with heroin. During a 24-hour period in December 1995, at least 60 heroin users in Newark, New Jersey, died after using heroin tainted with scopolamine. In ancient herbal medicine, Datura stramonium was used internally to treat madness, epilepsy, and depression. Externally, it formed the basis of ointments for burns and rheumatism. More recently, preparations from the plant have been used as ingredients in some asthma medicines. With this exception, however, plant is generally considered too toxic for medical applications nowadays. Some scholars believe that vapours obtained by boiling this plant may have been used by the Delphic oracles to induce their legendary visions. More recently, in 1968, the use of jimsonweed as a hallucinogenic drug prompted the US government to ban over-the-counter sales of products prepared from it. Jimsonweed alkaloids are related to those found in magic mushrooms. Unlike magic mushrooms which will not cause death, even if very large quantities are consumed (a person will vomit if they take too many magic mushrooms for their body to handle), ingestion of jimsonweed can lead to seizures, coma, and death. NOTE: Since 1965 there has been only one report in the medical literature of a death associated with use of magic mushrooms. An 18 year old used magic mushrooms which caused an erratic heart rhythm and led to the patients death. The death was due to a pre-existing condition that was triggered by magic mushroom consumption, rather than due to an overdose. Symptoms 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. These effects can occur within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion. Symptoms can continue for 24 to 48 hours because the alkaloids present in jimsonweed slow the digestive process. Even prolonged breathing of the fragrance from jimsonweed flowers can produce mild symptoms, and less than 5 grams of leaves or seeds eaten by a child will usually be fatal. There is no antidote for jimsonweed poisoning. Treatment normally includes pumping the patient's stomach and administering activated charcoal to absorb the contaminants. The drug physostigmine, a mild nerve agent, is used in severe cases. How To Use Datura stramoniumJimsonweed is risky to trip on because the dose and overdose levels are close. All parts of the plant are psychoactive but the seeds, leaves, and fruit contain the highest level of alkaloids. These parts are commonly consumed in herbal tea concoctions. The seeds, leaves, and roots can be eaten or smoked. Start at a dose of a gram or less, and increase the dose (by a gram or less) each time you try. See this for more information about making herbal tea and other methods of consuming herbs. The hallucinations experienced by users often includes delirium, delusions, disorientation, and incoherent speech. Often users do not recall the experience. Higher doses than those that produce hallucinations can cause unconsciousness or death. Use with caution. For those interested, you can find jimsonweed in the datura section of the bouncing bear botanicals website. They ship from the US to most countries. Jimsonweed is a member of the potato or nightshade family, and like most other members of the family it can be toxic. Even the potato found in most kitchens can be poisonous, if it's green and sunburned. The berries of the potato are always dangerous. Books Stairways to Heaven: |
