Datura
is a powerful antispasmodic, narcotic and
sedative, used as a cough suppressant, a painkiller and a narcotic. It was once
widely used in the treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
In general application it is similar to Belladonna, the primary active
ingredient being atropine, but Datura acts much more strongly on the
respiratory organs to relieve bronchial spasms. The leaf or seed were commonly smoked in a cigarette to
relieve asthma attacks.
An
ointment or liniment of the same applied topically has powerful analgesic and
antinflammatory properties; in particular, it was a popular remedy for painful
and swollen joints, breasts, testes and external haemorrhoids.
Scopolamine,
one of the active ingredients in Jimsonweed is still used to treat symptoms of
dizziness.
Although
highly effective at relieving spasmodic coughs, Datura becomes less so
with constant use. As a general
sedative, it has a history of use in treating hysteria and epilepsy, but does
not appear to give consistent results over the long term.
Dosage is 1 – 3 drops of the leaf tincture; 1 –2 drops of the seed
tincture or 7 -- 300 mg of powdered leaves (which may be taken as a tea) or ¼
to ½ tsp of the seeds. These given
dosages are rather low, but may be increased in small increments, with caution.
CAUTION:
Large doses can be highly narcotic, hallucinogenic and finally, toxic.
Although, (according to
Maude Grieves) the dried leaves are not generally considered poisonous, the
other parts of the plant are. The
seeds, being more concentrated, are responsible for the most poisonings..
The half-ripe seeds are somewhat sweet enough to be palatable to
children. The roots are the
strongest part of all, but rarely used. Dryness of the throat and mouth are the initial signs of too
large a dose. Even larger doses can
result in symptoms similar to those for heroin or morphine overdose, though
Kings American Dispensatory lists these as antidotes, the dosage of which is
determined by the degree to which the pupils are dilated.
To counteract the narcotic effects an emetic is needed to empty the
stomach and the person stimulated by walking, massage or mild stimulant drugs
such as coffee or tea. Death is
from respiratory failure, not from any toxic damage to organs.
Should breathing stop, artificial respiration must be employed until the
crisis passes. In addition, if it
isn’t already obvious: do not use Jimson Weed during pregnancy.
OTHER USES: Jimson-weed
is a powerful narcotic and hallucinogen, made famous in this regard by Carlos
Castenada in his Don Juan books. I
was a witness to widespread experimentation with this plant as a hallucinogen
during the 70’s in the Okanogan. It
is truly a powerful hallucinogen, though its physical effects are unpleasant to
say the least. It brings delirious
intoxication, a sense of heaviness and confusion and a dry mouth, along with
visions or hallucinations and a general departure of rational perception. I am not aware of any deaths from this experimentation,
though a number of people lost days from their lives or were arrested for being
intoxicated in a public place. As a
serious plant drug, it has potential for those seeking a gateway to other
dimensions or realities. As a
recreational drug, it just isn’t fun and it’s dangerous to boot.
In India, thieves once used it to render their victims insensible.
