Thorn Apple, Jimsonweed, Jamestown Weed

Datura stramonium

Physical Characteristics

Datura stramonium is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Moths. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Original habitat is obscure, it is found in many areas of the world, occasionally in S. Britain[17].

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Anthelmintic Antiasthmatic Antidandruff Antiinflammatory Antispasmodic Hallucinogenic Hypnotic Mydriatic Narcotic The thornapple is a bitter narcotic plant that relieves pain and encourages healing[238]. It has a long history of use as a herbal medicine, though it is very poisonous and should be used with extreme caution. The leaves, flowering tops and seeds are anodyne, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, hallucinogenic, hypnotic, mydriatic and narcotic[1, 4, 7, 9, 13, 21, 46, 165, 238, 240]. The seeds are the most active medicinally[4]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of asthma and Parkinson's disease, excess causes giddiness, dry mouth, hallucinations and coma[238]. Externally, it is used as a poultice or wash in the treatment of fistulas, abscesses wounds and severe neuralgia[238, 257]. The use of this plant is subject to legal restrictions in some countries[238]. It should be used with extreme caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner since all parts of the plant are very poisonous and the difference between a medicinal dose and a toxic dose is very small[21, 213, 238]. The leaves should be harvested when the plant is in full flower, they are then dried for later use[4]. The leaves can be used as a very powerful mind-altering drug, they contain hyoscyamine and atropine[213]. There are also traces of scopolamine, a potent cholinergic-blocking hallucinogen, which has been used to calm schizoid patients[213]. Atropine dilates the pupils and is used in eye surgery[222]. The leaves have been smoked as an antispasmodic in the treatment for asthma, though this practice is extremely dangerous[213, 222]. The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have a bitter and acrid taste with a cooling and very poisonous potency[241]. Analgesic, anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory, they are used in the treatment of stomach and intestinal pain due to worm infestation, toothache and fever from inflammations[241]. The juice of the fruit is applied to the scalp to treat dandruff[243].

Known Hazards

All members of this genus contain narcotics and are very poisonous, even in small doses[200].