Duboisia

Historical use for severe unremitting nausea where atropine-like drying and central sedation were desired, always under close medical supervision

Historical ophthalmic use to produce prolonged mydriasis for examination or surgery

Overview. Duboisia myoporoides is a small tree or shrub native to eastern Australia and parts of the South Pacific, long known to Aboriginal peoples as a component of pituri, a traditional chewed stimulant and narcotic preparation.

Clinical Notes. Duboisia has essentially no place in contemporary herbal practice as a crude preparation. Its historical eclectic use mirrored that of belladonna and hyoscyamus: it was given for conditions calling for anticholinergic drying and central sedation, such as intractable vomiting, excessive salivation or sweating, spasmodic asthma, and to dilate the pupil for ophthalmic work.

Therapy. The agent has not been extensively used for internal administration. It soothes the respiratory apparatus, increases the action of the heart, like belladonna in congestions, and is given to control excessive night sweats.

Physiological Action. Duboisia is similar in many respects in its influence, to stramonium, hyoscyamus and belladonna. It produces dryness in the mouth and constriction in the throat, with difficult deglutition. It increases the pulse rate and arterial tension, increases the capillary circulation in the skin, with flushed face like belladonna. The pupil dilates, there is a sensation of fullness in the head, with tinnitus aurium, vertigo, nervous excitement and muscular uncertainty. These conditions are followed by mental inactivity and stupor, with general quiet, although the patient may not sleep.