-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
herb
Datura spp. (Jimson Weed, Thornapple)
botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Datura stramonium
synonyms: jimson weed, thornapple, stramonium
part(s) used: flowering tops and leaves
qualities:
affinities:
actions:
dosage:
» powder: 0.06 - 0.2 g
» tincture: 0.5 - 1.5 ml.
therapy:
toxicity: 4; see anticholinergic toxidrome
» treatment of overdose includes gastric lavage and emesis; Physostigmine 2 mg I.V.; one herbalist recommended Glycyrrhiza as an antidote; cold water hydrotherapy, cool drinks to reduce dryness of mouth, administration of ophthalmic solution containing 1% or less Pilocarpine (Ellis, p. 65; Duke, pp. 158, 161 - 162; Lewis et al)
» contraindicated in patients with glaucoma or paraplegias
» anticholinergic toxidrome: red as a beet, dry as a bone, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter. Causes drying of the mouth, with thirst and dysphagia, along with erythema especially on the neck, chest and face. Esophageal hyperemia and hemorrhagic gastritis can occur. Pupils dilate, react slowly to light; tachycardia, palpitations, tachypnea, urinary retention, fever, trembling, twitching. Mental changes can be seen including giddiness, restlessness, confusion, ataxia, delirium, mania, drowsiness, stupor. Paresthesias and anesthesias may occur; an illusionogenic hallucinatory stage (with both visual and auditory effects) can develop and last several days. Death occurs due to respiratory failure and circulatory collapse (AMA p. 36; Woodward, p. 64).
» Additional side effects include maniacal delirium, relaxation of the bowel, diuresis, and irregular heart activity. Datura intoxications are more likely to include hallucinations as a major symptom. (Goodman and Gilman, p. 1839; Schultes and Hofmann)
» notable clinical and laboratory test results: dysuria, often with glycosuria accompanied by hypoxia and a change in body temperature (initially elevated, then depressed during or after the hallucinatory stage preceding death); elevated AST and LDH; EEG shows slow waves with rhythmic bursts (AMA, p. 36; Ellis, p. 79; Woodward, p. 64; von Oettingen, p. 249; Poisindex)
» handling of fresh leaves and fruit may cause contact dermatitis (Hardin, pp. 12 - 15; Muenscher, p. 8)
constituents: tropane alkaloids, mainly hyoscyamine, hyoscine, atropine
footnotes
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Ellis, M.D. 1975. Dangerous Plants, Snakes, Arthropods, And Marine Life. Hamilton, IL: Drug Intelligence Publications, Inc.
Goodman, L.S., and Gilman, A. 1980. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 6th ed. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company, Inc.
Hardin, J. W.; and Arena, J.M. 1974. Human Poisoning from Native Cultivated Plants, 2nd ed. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
Lampe, K.F., and McAnn, M.A. 1985. AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants. Chicago: American Medical Association.
Lewis, W.H., and Elvin-Lewis, M.P. 1977. Medical Botany. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.
Schultes, R.E., Hoffmann, A. 1973. The Botany of Hallucinogens. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.
Woodward, L. 1985. Poisonous Plants: A Color Field Guide. New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc.