JIMSON WEED Datura stramonium, L.( N. O.: Solanaceae)
Common Names: Thorn Apple, Stinkweed, Apple Peru, Jamestown Weed. Features: Datura, a small genus of about fifteen species of annual, shrub and small trees, belonging to the nightshade family( Solanaceae).“ Jamestown Weed” is the name given by colonists who found the plant growing on ship rubbish near Jamestown, Virginia. It has migrated, especially to Michigan, and almost every part of the United States. Can be found growing in roadsides and waste ground( never in mountains or woods). Stramonium is an annual, over 4 ft. tall, with ovate, unevenly toothed glabrous, strong-scented leaves; white or purplish funnel-form flowers, and hard, prickly, many-seeded capsule splitting in four valves. Seeds are small, roughish, dark brown or black when ripe, greyish brown when unripe. They yield what is called“ Datura”. The name Stinkweed refers to the unpleasant narcotic odour, especially of the bruised leaves, which diminishes as it dries. Almost every part of the plant is possessed of medicinal properties, but the official parts are leaves and seeds. The leaves should be gathered when the flowers are full grown, and carefully dried in the shade. Medicinal Parts: The leaves and seeds. Solvents: Alcohol, hot water( partially). Bodily Influence: Anodyne, Antispasmodic. Uses: D. stramonium is seldom used by Herbalists. In four and a half years of study with N. G. Tretchikoff we have never seen the agent in use. In large doses it is an energetic narcotic poison, inflicting intense agony on the victim and death by maniacal delirium. The Indians used a preparation of the plant in various ways. The main reason being to induce fanciful dreams. They dried the leaves and smoked them as a cure for asthma, if the patient had a sound heart. We prefer other plants that have mutual effect without the possibility of uncertain tolerance. Medicinally it is often used as a substitute for opium. It has fairly good effect in cases of mania, epilepsy, gastritis, delirium tremens and enteritis. Also neuralgia, rheumatism and all periodic pains.
The information regarding this herb is only for identification, as in this case, what is not fully understood should not be in possession. Externally: The Indians sometimes crushed the plant and bound it on bruises and swellings and there is record of its use in extreme cases of saddle sores on horses and also a cure for rattlesnake and tarantula bites. Its medicinal qualities are quite important if its use is entrusted to proper and educated persons. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh plant in flower and fruits— Anasarca( after Scarlatina), Aphasia, Apoplexy, Burns, Catalepsy, Chordee, Chorea, Delirium tremens, Diaphragmitis, Ecstasy, Enuresis, Epilepsy, Erotomania, Eyes( affections of), Headache( from sun), Hiccough, Hydrophobia, Hysteria, Lochia( offensive), Locomotor ataxia, Mania, Meningitis, Nymphomania, Oesophagus( spasm af), Scarlatina, Stammering( starting), Strabismus, Sunstroke, Tetanus, Thirst, Tremors Trismus, Typhus. Russian Experience: Durman Vonuchyi, Durman Indyisky is Russia’ s name for Datura stramonium. The plant was first introduced as a botanical garden specimen, now it invades nearly all of the Russian territory. The Datura implies that the brain and nerves are so affected that persons no longer are in control of themselves, or are deadly poisoned. Folk Medicine: Use is made of stramonium in many assorted ways. The amount of seeds in vodka( Nastoika), depending on the child’ s age, for treatment when paralysis due to a severe scare;