An annual plant of the Solanaceae family.
It is found on loose, moist soils near homes, in fields, along slopes and ravines. It grows in Ukraine, in particular Crimea, the Caucasus, and western Siberia.
Popularly, there are other names for the herb such as: drunken cucumbers, kings, stupefying grass, thistle, bad drunk, etc.
The plant sometimes causes very strong hallucinations. Since ancient times in India, shamans have used it for their ritual. In ancient times, in some countries, grass was used as a narcotic substance.
Description: Although Datura is native to Asia, it is well adapted to the climate of Central and Eastern Europe. Grown in gardens as ornamental plant. Has a highly developed root system. Powerful tap root white. The height of the flower reaches 120 cm. The stem is straight and large leaves having an unpleasant odor. The flower itself is considered poisonous.
The leaves of Datura are pointed at the end, ovoid in shape, narrowed at the petiole, dark green on the front side, lighter on the underside.
Datura has large single flowers of white, or purple, funnel shape. Flowers appear from June to September and have an unpleasant odor (especially at night). Flowers reach 12 mm in length.
The fruit is in the form of a round, erect capsule, which is covered with sharp spines up to 1 cm long. One box contains more than 500 seeds.
The seeds are matte black, slightly flattened, and large.
Datura is propagated by seeds.
Sowing period - early spring, the seed ripening period is from June to October.
The common datura blooms: June - September.
Datura common: planting and care
Datura - (another name for the flower) is easily grown from seeds. In any garden store you can find seeds. Germination is almost 100%, but the first shoots appear no earlier than a month later.
Seed preparation: First, for several days, the seeds are soaked in a growth stimulator, or in regular cold water, this will soften the hard, dense skin that covers the seeds.
You can use zip bags. Pour some water, place the seeds and wait for them to pierce, then you can safely plant them in the ground.
Seeds are sown in the ground in mid-May. But for quick flowering, seedlings are used.
Growing seedlings: The seeds are sown in bowls, after 3 weeks, the first shoots should appear, after some time they are planted in separate containers.
The seeds are sown on the surface, lightly sprinkled with soil up to 1 cm on top. It is necessary to water abundantly through a sprayer.
After sowing, the containers are covered with a glass flask and the temperature is maintained at 20 degrees, periodically removing the flask for ventilation.
With the emergence of seedlings, the sprouts are provided with sufficiently strong diffused light and abundant watering.
To avoid diving, only one seed is planted in one pot.
Pinning: With the appearance of the first 2-3 leaves, young shoots need to be pinned. First they are taken out for 1 hour for open air, but after a few days, the time is gradually increased.
After a month, if the night temperature does not drop below +10 degrees, the seedlings can be left outside all night.
Upon reaching 15-20 cm in height and the air temperature is 15-20 degrees, the seedlings are transferred to open ground, planted in 30 cm increments, but buried in the ground root collar it is forbidden.
Soil: Choose nutritious, loose soil; it should conduct air and water well and be rich in organic matter.
Location: On open ground choose a sunny area without drafts and wind, otherwise the branches of the dope tree will break, bend, and the buds will fall off.
Watering: Be especially careful about watering. It should be generous, but don't overdo it. Use soft, settled water.
If the watering regime is violated, the dope will shed its leaves and buds.
Feeding: During the period active growth(flowering), must be applied organic fertilizers: manure, compost 2 times a month.
Medicinal properties of Datura ordinary
The plant is used in pharmacology, for the preparation of herbal preparations. The content of levorotatory alkanoid - hyoscyamine, the medicine affects the smooth muscles of the bronchi, reduces pain in the respiratory tract.
Datura reduces the tone of smooth muscle organs, reduces sweating, reduces the secretion of the pancreas and salivary glands, and reduces the vagal effect on the heart.
The powder is used to prevent respiratory infections, for bronchitis, as an antispasmodic, for wound healing, in cosmetology, and for hemorrhoids.
According to the chemical composition, the herb contains alkaloids: gustamine, atropine, daturin. From leaves and seeds, obtained essential oil and various tannins.
The composition of tobacco products includes dope as one of the means of causing hallucinations.
Independent use is strictly prohibited, the plant is poisonous and should only be consumed under medical supervision.
The plant is used in folk and traditional medicine at:
- depression,
- nervous attacks (mental breakdowns),
- disorders nervous system
- rheumatism
- whooping cough
- bronchitis (bronchial asthma)
- conjunctivitis
- nymphomania
- bradycardia
- stomach and duodenal ulcers
- spastic constipation
- colitis
The essence of freshly squeezed leaves is used for manic states and triple neuralgia.
The collection of leaves is part of the preparations “Astmatin”, “Astmatol”, which are used for bronchial asthma.
The oil is used for external treatment, and is part of “Saliniment”, “Complex liniment” for neuralgia, rheumatism, inflammation of the joints and muscular rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis.
From the collection of flowers, decoctions are prepared for epilepsy, cough, and bronchial asthma.
Datura vulgare: use in folk medicine
Based on datura vulgare, prepared alcohol tinctures, decoctions and powder.
Dried leaves are used to make powder for the treatment of cough and shortness of breath.
On the tip of a spoon (very small dose) 3 times a day, consume the powder orally.
Treatment of bronchial asthma
- With an advanced chronic disease, the patient needs to breathe smoke from burnt leaves.
- 2 tbsp. spoons of crushed leaves, pour a glass of water, place on water bath for 5 minutes, then inhale the vapor through your nose for 20 minutes.
Treatment of mental illness, seizures, epilepsy
Preparation of the infusion: 1 teaspoon of crushed seeds, pour 250 ml. boiling water, cover and let steep for 20 minutes. Take 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon.
For stomach cancer, the infusion helps reduce pain.
For external use
Preparation of the decoction: per glass of water, add 1 tsp. crushed leaves, bring to a boil, let it brew for 30 minutes, then 1 teaspoon of the prepared decoction, diluted with 100 mm of water and used as a lotion for external use for arthritis, arthrosis, eye inflammation, as a rinse for toothache.
A decoction of Datura flowers is taken for epilepsy and angina pectoris.
Treatment of hemorrhoids and uterine prolapse
It is necessary to prepare a warm sitz bath. Chopped dry raw materials 1 tbsp. spoon, pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 30-40 minutes. Dilute the concentrate into 10 l hot water and take a warm sitz bath 2-3 times a day for up to 10 minutes until the water cools down.
How to get rid of unnecessary hair
Often women develop hair that is unwanted and needs to be removed. To prepare, you need 200 grams of crushed dry raw materials, pour 1 liter of boiling water, put on low heat and stir constantly until a homogeneous mass is formed. Then let the paste cool and apply a thin layer on required areas skin.
Decoction for enemas and douching
Recipe: 1 teaspoon. dry powder pour 0.5 liters. water, put on low heat and cook for 5 minutes. Remove and let sit for 30 minutes, then strain. Use the decoction once a day for 2 weeks. But consult your doctor first.
Datura oil
The oil is prepared from the seeds of the plant. Used to get rid of unwanted hair. The oil is applied to the surface of the skin, penetrating deep into the hair follicle and destroying it. Before application, it is necessary to epilate when the pores are still open, apply to the surface, otherwise the oil will not get inside the skin.
Superficially used for radiculitis, arthritis, eczema.
Use Datura vulgaris oil internally to remove stones from the gall bladder and intestines (fecal stones). It also acts as a sedative nervous stress and seizures.
Collection and procurement of raw materials
IN medicinal purposes Datura seeds and leaves are used.
From the moment of flowering until mid-autumn, the leaves are plucked and dried in dry weather. Wet leaves after rain or with dew quickly darken. In one year you can collect up to 3 or 4 fees.
First, the lower petals are plucked. Dry in a well-ventilated area without direct contact sun rays, or use electric dryer. The temperature during drying should not exceed 40-50 degrees. As soon as the main vein has dried out and breaks down well, the grass is collected and kept in glass jars, or tightly closed bags.
After touching the leaves, be sure to wash your hands well. Shelf life 2 years.
Seeds are collected starting in autumn from ripe fruits. Like the leaves, they are dried and placed in jars for storage.
Contraindications
Due to the toxicity of the flower, any self-medication can lead to overdose and poisoning. Some people deliberately smoke or inhale smoke from burning leaves to achieve hallucinations; this is extremely dangerous and leads to poisoning.
Symptoms of poisoning:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dry mouth
- Bloody diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Disturbance of the central nervous system
- Coordination of movements is impaired
- Disorientation
- Pupils are dilated
- Partial memory loss
- Hyperreflexia
- Partial paralysis
If you have any of the above symptoms, call immediately ambulance.
This plant has been known since ancient times under the names of stupor grass, crazy grass, div tree, sorcerers' grass, stinking dope, prickly apples, fool's potion, etc. Although in medicine the most popular name is datura vulgare. We will look at the photo and description of this plant in this article.
Appearance
This is incredibly beautiful annual plant. It reaches a height of 1 meter, but sometimes grows higher. The plant has datura common root rod-shaped, wide, spindle-shaped, has large number branches. Its stem is branched, erect, and hollow inside. The branches are covered with small fluff. The leaves are toothed, large, notched, pointed, petiolate, ovate. Flowers of five white petals reach a length of 10 centimeters and always grow one at a time. They remind appearance bell and have an unpleasant and strong aroma which is intoxicating. The fruits of the Datura herb are a small oval box, densely covered with thorns. It contains up to eight hundred round, black, flattened seeds.
Place of growth
Datura vulgaris, photos of which are given in this article, despite its beauty, is common in natural conditions like a weed. It usually grows along roadsides, in vacant lots, river banks, landfills, in gardens and orchards, near houses. Habitat - Central Asia, European part Russia, Georgia, Caucasus, Ukraine, Crimea, Far East and Western Siberia. Datura prefers loose soil, enriched with nitrogen, as well as a warm climate, although it also tolerates drought well.
Plant composition
A full description of the plant Datura vulgaris is impossible without mentioning what useful elements it contains. It includes:
- potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium;
- vitamin C;
- oleic, linoleic, stearic, palmitic and other acids;
- copper, fluorine, zinc;
- essential oil;
- tannins;
- carotene;
- fatty oil;
- protein, etc.;
- alkaloids (hyoscyamine, atropine, daurine, scopolamine, etc.).
Pharmacological properties
Since the plant contains hyoscyamine, it:
- has a bronchodilator effect;
- helps block activity in human body cholinergic systems;
- reduces the secretion of salivary, gastric and sweat glands;
- tones well respiratory system;
- reduces overall muscle tone.
The herb Datura can be found in almost any pharmacy. It is actively used as various extracts and tinctures.
Use in agriculture
The herb is actively used in the form of an insecticidal preparation necessary in agriculture to combat various pests. It can get rid of hawthorn caterpillars, herbivorous bugs and ticks. Fresh leaves the plants are added to the feed of piglets to increase fat in the meat, and Datura tincture is used for animal convulsions.
Medicinal properties
Despite the dangers when using a high dose, the health properties of Datura are very beneficial. The plant has calming, antispasmodic, analgesic properties.
It reduces intestinal secretion, and also slows down digestive processes, cures diseases of the biliary tract and gastrointestinal tract. Stomach colic goes away very quickly. Helps with colon diseases and uterine prolapse.
Datura vulgare (see photo in the article) expands bronchial muscles, relaxes, cures diseases of the lymph nodes, convulsive cough and asthma, diseases of the upper respiratory tract. To relieve symptoms of asthma, the leaves of the herb are used in the form of smoking. It is used for epilepsy, shortness of breath, hiccups, and spasms. In case of inflammation of the mouth and throat, or toothache, rinse with a decoction.
Tinctures are created for stress, sleep disorders, nervous system, mental illness, neurasthenia, and motion sickness. Datura easily treats speech disorders and seizures. For bruises, rheumatism and eczema, compresses and baths using the plant are recommended. For all kinds of eye inflammation, make light lotions from a decoction of herbs.
Datura vulgaris in the intimate area helps with painful tension in the penis and increased sexual excitability. In addition, it must be used for inflammation of the genital organs and ovaries, mastitis and mastopathy. It is also used as a means traditional medicine with whooping cough.
It can be given in microscopic quantities to children at least 6 years old. However, the symptoms for its use are the same as in adults.
Usage
Alcohol tinctures and powder are made from Datura vulgare.
The powder is made from dried leaves. It is used in the treatment of convulsive cough and severe shortness of breath. To do this, the powder is taken orally in small doses three times a day. If a patient with bronchial asthma has an advanced condition, sometimes they are allowed to breathe the smoke of scorched leaves.
Decoctions and tinctures of Datura vulgare can be used externally. Boil a glass of boiling water and a spoonful of dry leaves for a minute. Then let it sit for half an hour and you can use it. Add a spoonful of the resulting infusion to half a glass of water and use it in the form of lotions.
For epileptic seizures, convulsions and mental disorders, an infusion of the herb is used. It is made from a glass of hot water and a teaspoon of seeds of this plant, then insist for half an hour. This infusion is used internally, one teaspoon at a time. It is also prescribed for stomach cancer to relieve pain.
Its tincture is incredibly useful for hemorrhoids. In this case, warm sitz baths are prepared. You need to pour 20 grams of dry dope into a glass of hot water and leave for one hour. Next you need to dilute in ten liters of warm boiled water.
Datura common wide application I found it in cosmetology. With it you can get rid of various areas body from unwanted hair. To do this, you need to take 150 g of dry raw materials, pour one liter of boiling water over them, then boil until a homogeneous mass appears. As soon as the broth has cooled, spread it on required areas skin. This product has a very long shelf life, but at the same time it healing properties doesn't lose.
The decoction is also used for douching and enemas. To create it, take half a liter of water and a spoonful of dry crushed leaves and cook for 5 minutes over low heat. Ready product stand for about twenty minutes, then filter and consume once a day for three weeks.
The plant is poisonous, therefore, any changes in the body must be carefully studied. If you feel unwell, you should immediately stop using it and consult a doctor.
Per day for a person, a single dose is 0.2 g, daily - 0.6 g.
Datura oil
The oil is obtained from the seeds of Datura vulgare. The main use is to eliminate unwanted body hair. When oil gets into the hair follicle, it destroys it from the inside. Consequently, no more hair will grow in this area treated with the product. The drug is applied in this way: first you should do epilation, after which you need to take a little oil in your palm and apply it in a thin layer on the newly exposed bulbs and pores.
The oil of the plant is also used in removing fecal stones from the intestines and from gall bladder stones. It normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and also improves intestinal motility. In addition, the oil has a calming substance, due to which it effectively helps with stress.
It is used externally for burns, radiculitis, eczema and arthritis.
Growing Datura
Nowadays, many gardeners grow this plant because it is unpretentious, and its flowering lasts for a long time. The soil for its cultivation should be prepared in advance. You need to add humus, soil and sand from the garden. It should be prepared in the fall. Spring is the time to plant seedlings and sow seeds. It is advisable to sow in small plastic containers, where fresh water was poured in advance autumn soil and peat. After 10 days, the first shoots appear.
Next, a manganese solution should be poured into the tray in which the grass seedlings will be located. This tool protects seedlings from fungal infection. Seedlings should be watered regularly, but not allowed to stagnate. In summer, you can plant dope seedlings in the ground, while maintaining a distance of one meter between plants. Datura, after it grows, takes up a lot of space. It has spreading branches and is very tall. In order for the plant to develop and grow well, it should be replanted in loose soil every spring.
Datura care
To plant dope, the place should be not very sunny and bright, but protected from the wind. The flowering of a given plant depends on the quality of water used for irrigation. It is advisable to water the dope with hard water; however, if it is not available, then you can use plain soft water. Although in this case it is necessary to water the dope with lime milk once a season.
In summer and spring, the grass grows very actively, therefore, at this time it needs pruning of previously faded flowers and watering 2 times a day. In this case, it is necessary to stock up on seeds, which must be collected from the fruits remaining at the site of the first flowers. To avoid shedding of seeds, you should put special bags on the fruit-box.
Grass pests do not like moisture, therefore, the plant must be sprayed plain water. Sometimes it is sprayed with a solution of pyrethrum.
Blank
In the form medicine Not the whole plant is harvested, but only its seeds and leaves. The leaves of the grass are collected in dry weather, because when moisture gets on them, they quickly darken when picked. Then they are dried in ovens at 40 °C. In addition, the leaves can be collected when the seeds are ripe, in which case they are dried in dark, drafty places.
The drying process is completed when the prepared raw material breaks easily. Remember to wash your hands well when handling this herb as it is highly toxic. The prepared raw materials can be used for medicinal purposes for two years.
Poisoning
Datura common - poisonous plant, it should be handled with care, otherwise there is a risk of poisoning. The possibility of this arises when the seeds are used for food.
Signs of poisoning:
- incoherence of speech;
- dry mouth;
- bloody diarrhea;
- vomiting and nausea;
- difficulty swallowing;
- headache;
- dilated pupils;
- photophobia;
- red and dry skin;
- inability to normally see a nearby object, short-term loss of vision;
- deterioration of short-term memory;
- hallucinations and delusions;
- uncontrollable laughter;
- tachycardia.
In severe cases, there is a complete loss of orientation, increased temperature and sudden agitation, convulsions and shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure and blue discoloration of the mucous membrane. A coma and loss of consciousness are likely to occur. Sometimes, due to vascular insufficiency and paralysis of the respiratory system, death may occur.
If symptoms of poisoning appear, call an ambulance immediately. For first aid, it is necessary to artificially induce vomiting, as well as perform intestinal lavage. You can drink charcoal later.
This effect of poisoning can last up to two weeks. The consequences may be swelling of the legs, forearms and face.
Contraindications
The use of Datura is contraindicated for glaucoma. In the absence of this disease, you should first consult a doctor, since the plant is poisonous and can harm the body. You should not consume more than prescribed, as this risks serious poisoning.
Datura is a plant from the nightshade family with medicinal properties and at the same time the brightest representative groups of toxic herbs. The main danger of dope for humans is depression of the central nervous system, which usually leads to very serious consequences.
Datura easily grows like a weed, it is unpretentious, has a high stem (reaches a height of 80 cm), large oval-shaped leaves and bright white flowers of the same large size, reaching 10 cm in diameter. These flowers exude a rather pungent and unpleasant aroma, intoxicating consciousness. It was thanks to him that Datura got its name.
Can produce its flowers throughout summer period, right up to the very beginning of autumn. Absolutely all parts of the plant are considered poisonous. But dope seeds are the most toxic. Therefore, great care must be taken when working with dope during the ripening period, that is, in late August - early October.
It is especially important to monitor your children so that they do not pick the Datura flowers, which are quite large and attractive, and do not accidentally eat its seeds. The point is that, in childhood the development of toxic psychosis caused by dope leads to particularly severe consequences, inhibition and cessation of mental, mental and physical development.
The danger of Datura, like other toxic plants, is due to its complex chemical composition. What makes it poisonous are alkaloids, which large volume found in all parts of the plant, and especially in the seeds. In total, there are 7 types of alkaloids in Datura: hyoscine, scopalamine, noratropine, hyoscyamine, apoatropine, aposcolamine.
All these toxic substances represent a group of anticholinergics. Datura is sometimes used as a drug. Its alkaloids cause hallucinations. But not only a pathological mental state is the main effect of dope. Its alkaloids, when entering the body, block the functioning of neuron receptors in the brain of the head, myocardium and intestinal smooth muscles.
Moreover, the entire functioning of the endocrine system changes pathologically.
Symptoms
The manifestation of intoxication of the body with dope begins 20 - 30 minutes after toxins enter the blood. The development of the clinical picture continues for two days.
This is due to the fact that the toxic substances of dope (alkaloids) undergo a slow process of absorption through the intestinal walls into the blood, which in turn is caused by inhibition of the functionality of the digestive tract.
If intoxication with dope is mild, it is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Dry mouth
- Thirst;
- Dizziness;
- Reasonless laughter;
- Incoherence of speech.
The latter signs (inappropriate behavior) are caused by the influence of alkaloids on brain neurons. Because of this, a person’s mental state changes dramatically.
External signs of dope poisoning in humans will be as follows: excessive dryness skin, redness of the skin, dilated pupils (even the iris of the eye becomes invisible), lack of reaction to bright light.
- Rapid heartbeat;
- Photophobia;
- Intestinal atony;
- Urinary retention.
These are additional signs that do not appear immediately.
At mild form Poisoning may cause complications in humans such as renal failure and destruction of muscle tissue at the cellular level.
A moderately severe state of poisoning is usually characterized by a more vivid clinical picture. In addition, the victim begins to hallucinate. Moreover, they are usually associated with insects. These are the hallucinogenic effects of Datura.
The victim experiences melancholy, anxiety, panic, and lack of coordination of movements. Aggression and overexcitation are sharply replaced by apathy and lethargy. A very deep sleep may also occur, which sometimes appears to be a state of coma. But upon awakening, the person still feels “broken” and tired, and memories of the state of poisoning are fragmentary.
A severe form of Datura poisoning is characterized by a sharp rise in body temperature, a bluish tint of the mucous membranes, a complete lack of reaction of the pupils of the eyes to light, their maximum dilation, agitation, uncoordination of movements, loss of spatial orientation, noisy breathing, barely perceptible pulse, myocardial arrhythmia.
In the absence of an ambulance medical care collapse, convulsions, and epileptic seizures develop. The picture can end with falling into a coma, paralysis of the respiratory center, vascular insufficiency, and death.
Even seeds can cause hallucinations when taken orally once. At the same time, both a person’s memory and thinking suffer. Therefore, this type of drug poses a danger not only to physical but also mental health. Having used it once, it will be impossible to completely restore all functions of the central nervous system and brain cells.
First pre-medical and medical therapy
First, as soon as it became known that a person had ingested dope seeds or at the first signs of intoxication, it was necessary to call an ambulance.
While the doctor arrives, it is important to provide the victim with first aid. It consists of such measures as cleansing the stomach with the help of a cleansing enema and taking adsorbent pharmacological agents ( activated carbon, enterosgel, and others). This must be done in order to ensure the removal of toxins from the intestines, which are slowly absorbed in order to prevent them from entering the bloodstream and spreading throughout the body.
When the doctor arrives, the victim will be taken to the hospital and there, in a hospital setting, the following treatment will be prescribed:
- Probe lavage of the intestine;
- Forced diuresis (the essence of this procedure is intravenous administration special solutions with a diuretic effect);
- Hemosorption (hardware purification of blood through the extrarenal route).
After this, the victim’s many symptoms are minimized. In addition, it helps stimulate the glands and improve neuromuscular conduction.
Special drugs are used - antidotes, but against the background of cardiac monitoring. In case of an overdose of these drugs, the patient may begin to salivate heavily, the heartbeat becomes rare, slow, and even stops.
In case of convulsive syndrome and epileptic seizures, medications such as Hexenal or Aminazine, Sodium thiopental are prescribed.
At very high temperature physical cooling of the patient's body may be prescribed. So-called wet wraps are carried out, ice is placed on the frontal part of the head and groin area.
In cases of urination problems, catheterization is performed (a catheter is inserted) bladder. Strictly monitor the diuresis process.
Conclusions
It is very important to prevent poisoning from dope, since this plant can cause not only damage to human health, but lead to very sad and irreversible consequences, including death.
Prevention of poisoning by this plant can be done by refusing to work with it in your garden or at your summer cottage.
Datura stramonium L.
Very poisonous!
Family - Solanaceae - Solanaceae.
Parts used are leaves and seeds.
Popular names: water drunk, crazy potion, stupefying grass, crazy grass.
Pharmacy name - Datura leaves - Stramonii folium (formerly - Folia Stramonii), dope seeds - Stramonii semen (formerly: Semen Stramonii).
Botanical description
Datura vulgare is an annual, extremely fast growing plant reaches more than 1 m in height on good soil. It has a taproot and a forked stem.
The leaves are ovate, short-petiolate, notched-toothed.
In places of branching, single large, white flowers sit on pedicels. The large funnel-shaped white corolla is formed by 5 fused pointed petals. The calyx is 5-toothed, slightly swollen at the base. Large spiny fruits, spherical or ovoid. They open with four valves and contain small black seeds.
It blooms from June to October, the seeds ripen from August, the flowers bloom in the evening and quickly fade. The entire plant is very poisonous.
It grows in damp places, in wastelands, waste places, near houses, near fences, less often as a weed. Found in single specimens and sometimes in small clusters.
Datura is native to Mexico and eastern North America.
Collection and preparation
Leaves are collected in dry weather from the beginning of flowering to autumn frosts. Dry in attics, under sheds or in rooms with good ventilation, spreading it in a thin layer on paper or burlap and stirring frequently. Can be dried in dryers at a temperature not exceeding 40 C. Dry leaves have an unpleasant specific odor and a bittersweet taste. Store in dry, well-ventilated areas. Shelf life up to 2 years.
Active ingredients
The plant contains alkaloids (0.37%), tannins (1.7%), essential oil (0.04%), as well as hyoscyamine, atropine and a little scopolamine.
Use in homeopathy
Homeopathy uses its tincture Datura, prepared from fresh flowers of plants collected at the beginning of flowering, for extreme states of nervous excitement in a dilution from D6 (sometimes from D 1), as well as whooping cough, asthma and various neuralgia.
Healing effect and application
Apart from smoking powder and anti-asthmatic cigarettes, Datura leaves are used only in “processed” form - as tincture and extract. A tincture is also prepared from the seeds, which is integral part anti-asthma drops. Under no circumstances should you treat yourself with dope, since all its parts are very poisonous!
Datura preparations in the form of a collection are used as an anti-asthmatic agent for spastic bronchitis, convulsive cough.
Datura came to Germany, according to reliable information, for the first time at the end of the 16th century from the south of Russia. The Viennese court physician A. von Storck (1731-1808) introduced it into medical practice. In those days, they made drinks from Datura, made rubbings and “magic potions.”
Contraindications
A very poisonous plant, do not take it internally. Poisoning is manifested by a sore throat, agitation, and paralysis.
Since ancient times, the herb Datura has been known for its medicinal properties.
It was used for bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, neuralgic diseases, stomach problems, epileptic strokes, rheumatism.
Today’s article will talk about this plant: from history to consumption.
Leaves should be collected after flowers form. Raw materials are dried only in non-residential premises and under no circumstances should you use an oven for these purposes. Ideal place– attic and roof. As soon as the sheet becomes brittle, it means it has dried completely.
Seeds are collected after the capsules have ripened and acquired brown. The seed itself should be black and shiny. But you can use a stove to dry the seeds.
Parts of Datura herb should be stored separately in a tightly closed banks within two years.
Today, pharmaceutical companies grow entire plantations of henbane. And in the factory, atropine and scopalamine are extracted from the plant, which are components of sedatives, antiemetics and antidotes.
Attention! Poisoning
Datura is very poisonous. Under no circumstances should pregnant and lactating women, as well as children, be treated with medications containing this plant.
Sometimes the consequences of consuming henbane can have serious consequences, even death. Signs of poisoning cannot be missed:
- dilated pupils;
- rapid heartbeat;
- slurred speech;
- blueness of lips and mouth;
- dyspnea;
- fever;
- hallucinations;
- convulsions;
- swelling of the face.
If help is not provided in time, the poison will paralyze the person’s respiratory center and he will die.
First aid is calling an ambulance. You will need to rinse your stomach and inject the drug proserin. For confusion, psychotropic medications are used.
Growing decorative dope
Gardeners grow ornamental datura grass with joy, thanks to its unpretentiousness.
Landing
If propagation is carried out using seeds, then preparation for cultivation begins in the fall.
You need to prepare pots with a special mixture of soil, humus and sand. And only in spring the seeds are planted in this soil. But not right away.
They are pre-soaked in hot water.
By the end of spring, young bushes grow that can be planted in open ground.
After landing under open sky, the first buds will appear in three weeks.
Reproduction
Cuttings also allows you to successfully grow grass.
There are many photos and videos on the Internet on how to do this correctly. A cutting is cut from an adult henbane and planted in a pot of soil until spring.
Summer cottages are decorated with datura grass because of its flowering. The Indian variety of henbane is popular, thanks to large flowers in the form of a bell with wonderful petals.
Eventually they grow up lush bushes strewn with beautiful bright colors. In nature, the native color of Datura buds is white. But, breeders have developed varieties with lilac, purple, yellow colors and various shapes petals. For example, you can see a star or a rose-like henbane.
The undoubted advantage of the decorative angel trumpet is the aroma. He is so strong that he is quite capable of eclipsing unpleasant odors, for example, at a trash can.
Conditions for favorable growth
Datura unpretentious perennial. For successful cultivation It is enough to comply with three important conditions:
- illumination;
- soil looseness;
- watering.
It is noteworthy that there will be no weeds near the growth of datura grass. She scares them away with her poisonous essence.
Top dressing
The soil needs to be fertilized occasionally, for example with milk of lime or minerals. Bushes are pruned after the first year of growth. It is better to overwinter bushes at home in large pots.
By the way, gardeners infuse Datura grass and use it as an insecticide in the fight against moths, caterpillars, hawthorns, spider mite. However, it will not be possible to get rid of ants, wireworms and beetles in this way. Bees really like the nectar of Datura flowers, but such honey is harmful to people.
Remember! You cannot grow Datura in playgrounds, kindergartens and bedrooms.