Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)
Datura stramonium
Western Herbalism
Western Herbalism

Jimson weed

Datura stramonium

Also known as Devil's apple, Angel's trumpet, Jamestown weed, Thornapple, Stramonium, Thorn-apple, Jimpson, Stinkweed.

WarmingDryingTaste: Bitter

Low dose herb Atropine to scopolamine ratio of young leaves=1:3, mature leaves=2:1, however there is wide variability Toxicity=Call 911, GI lavage, induce vomiting, tannins Remember toxicity-red as a beet, dry as a bone, mad as a hatter, blind as a bat

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AnticholinergicAnalgesicAntispasmodicBronchodilatorSpasmolyticantiasthmatichallucinogenicanodyne

Indications what the tradition reached for it in

Safety

Recognised toxicity. This plant carries a toxicity flag in the record; it is for trained practitioners only.

Low dose botanical. Used in drop doses in the classical practice; not a plant to dose freely.

Pregnancy: Pregnancy Caution

Breastfeeding: Lactation

The record lists 11 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.

Dosing as the sources wrote it

PreparationAs writtenMetric
Tincture (1:10)3-10 gtts TID (always start at low dose0.06-0.2 mL
Extractum Stramonii Seminis, Extract of Stramonium SeedDose, from one-sixth to one-half grain.10.8-32.4 mg
Extractum Stramonii Seminis Fluidum , Fluid Extract of Stramonium SeedDose, from one to five minims.0.06-0.31 mL
Specific Medicine StramoniumDose, one-fourth to ten minims.0.02-0.62 mL
Moderate doses increase the frequency and fullness of the pulse, with dizziness and perspiration; a larger dose (five grains of the powdered leaves) causes nausea, thirst, dryness of the throat, difficulty of speech, dilatation of the pupils, fever, relaxation of the bowels and increase of urine; a poisonous dose causes delirium, with laughter, loquacity, violent striking and biting, with grotesque hallucinations.
Dose, 1 to 2 grains.64.8-130 mg

Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.

From the sources

Clinical Notes. Low dose herb Atropine to scopolamine ratio of young leaves=1:3, mature leaves=2:1, however there is wide variability Toxicity=Call 911, GI lavage, induce vomiting, tannins Remember toxicity-red as a beet, dry as a bone, mad as a hatter, blind as a bat

Therapy. External. Fomentations of stramonium leaves, or the bruised fresh leaves may be applied to inflamed and painful parts to reduce swelling and relieve pain. In this manner it is often useful in mammitis, orchitis, swollen joints, and painful external hemorrhoids.

Therapy. In proper doses it acts as a sedative and anodyne in a manner similar to hyoscyamus. It is a remedy for excitable mania and acute delirium, with violent uncontrollable tendencies. It has been given in epilepsy for its soothing and tranquilizing effect, but its antispasmodic influence is not sufficiently great to place it among the agents for this disorder.

Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This preparation is now prepared from the seed instead of the leaves, as in the U. S. P., 1870. Below we give formula for an extract from the leaves, which we have designated Extractum Stramonii Foliorum.

Drawn from Scudder's Specific Medication and Specific Medicines; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Ellingwood's American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy; Felter's Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.

In formulas

Jimson weed stands in 14 documented formulas in the library, among them Unguentum Stramonii.

Often paired with

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