Datura

Genus of poisonous plants potentially psychoactive

Pronounced da-tu' -rah, [Hind., dhatura, a certain plant], it is a genus of Solanacece, or nightshade family.

Species

• Dantura arbor ea is a South American spe- cies; the leaves are used as an emollient.
• Dantura ceratocaula is indigenous to tropical America; its properties are similar to those of D. stramonium.
• Dantura fastuosa is found through- out the tropics of the old world.

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  Datura

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  Datura metel 'Fastuosa'

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  Datura Stramonium Samenkapsel

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  Köhler Datura

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  Datura stramonium

Traditional Islamic Medicine

• The root is administered by Mohammedan physicians in epilepsy.
• The fruit, seeds, and leaves are used in poultices for boils, carbuncles, and in the treatment of herpetic diseases. A tincture and decoction are given as a remedy for asthma.

Use

The plant is poisonous and soporific, and is used in India as an intoxicant, and by professional poisoners for killing newborn female infants ( see female infaticide).

Related species

• Cf. Dhatureas. D. metel possesses qualities similar to D. fastuosa. D. sanguinea is a South American species, the floripondio of Peru, from the seeds of which an intoxicating beverage called tonga is prepared.
• Taken alone and in large doses it produces furious delirium, but diluted is a soporific.
• The seeds are used in the preparation of an ointment.
• D. stramonium is the thorn-apple. See Stramonium.

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