Herb Academy

Professional Online Herbalist Training

  • Home
  • My Courses
    • My Achievements
    • My Account
  • Training Paths
  • Resource Library
  • Monographs
  • Enrollments

December 17, 2019

Datura stramonium

Datura stramonium

Datura stramonium (Bloustinkblaar, Jimson weed, iloyi) is widely used for headaches, asthma, wounds, sores and boils. It is poisonous and various cases of human poisoning have been reported.

Ethno Medicinal Uses of Datura stramonium

Administered to people: The Zulus use unspecified parts (probably leaves) with an unidentified Dioscora species as hypnotic drugs against hysteric fits in girls. It is also smoked for relieving headaches and asthma. Leaves, without the mid-rib, are laid over painful wounds and sores and are also used in poultices for scrofulous swellings (tuberculosis like bacteria of the lymph nodes, particularly of the neck) and tumours. Powdered leaves are applied to bruises and wounds to draw out inflammation and pus. (Hutchings et.al.)

An old treatment for septic wounds from a leopard’s claw was to syringe them with a solution of boiled Datura leaf decoction and nitrate of ammonia obtained from dassie urine. (Hutchings et.al.)

In Transkei, leaves are smoked for asthma and applied in a sugar and flour paste to whitlows (a painful infection of the finger caused by the herpes virus). Leaves are also smoked for asthma and coughs in Zimbabwe. Powdered roots and leaves are used in the treatment of goitre complaints (swelling in the neck resulting from an enlarged thyroid gland) and applied to boils. Leaves and fruits are taken in intoxicating infusions for frequent urination. The Vhavenda use leaves for venereal disease and insanity. (Hutchings et.al.)

In Israel, dried leaves are smoked for respiratory congestion and asthma. In Nigeria, leaves are used in the treatment of typhus. In Madagascar, they are used for asthma and foot ailments while seeds are used as narcotics, sedatives and antispasmodics. In India, warmed leaves are applied to the breast to reduce lactation and firm the breast while the sap is applied to the forehead to relieve headaches. (Hutchings et.al.)

Administered to animals: Powdered leaves are applied to bruises and wounds to draw out inflammation and pus. (Hutchings et.al.)

Applied in a magical sense: Powdered roots and leaves are inhaled as snuff to aid divining. (Hutchings et.al.)

Other Uses: In India, crushed leaves are kept in beds to kill bedbugs. (Hutchings et.al.)

Caution: Ingestion of seeds has produced similar effects to Cannabis poisoning in children. Plants are sometimes used by young people for intoxication purposes. Young plants cooked as vegetables were reported to have caused severe poisoning of British soldiers in Jamestown in 1676, an incident which led to the adoption of the common name, Jimson Weed. Symptoms of poisoning include severe mental confusion. (Hutchings et.al.)

References

This monograph contains details of Datura stramonium as per the references cited below. If you can provide any additional information, photos or reliable records, or spot any errors, please leave a comment below or in The Muthi Flora of southern Africa Facebook group.

Arnold. T.H., Prentice, C.A., Hawker, L.C., Snyman, E.E., Tomalin, M., Crouch, N.R. and Pottas-Bircher, C. (2002). Medicinal and magical plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 13. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Hutchings, A., Scott, A.H., Lewis, G., Cunnigham, A.B., (1996). Zulu Medicinal Plants: an inventory. University of Natal

Quick Links: Monograph Library | Advanced Search | Facebook Group

Additional Data (Advanced Search Fields)

Synonyms
Datura tatula L.
Vernacular Names
Bloustinkblaar, makolieboom, stinkblaar (Afrikaans); apple of Peru, Jimson Weed, prickly apple, stink weed, stramonium, thorn apple (English); iloyi, iyoli, iyoye, iyoyi (Zulu)
Family
Solanaceae
Broad Use Categories
Infections, Injuries and Poisoning, Men’s Health Issues, Respiratory Disorders, Rituals and Rites, Skin Disorders, Urinary Disorders, Veterinary Use, Women’s Health Issues
Application (Uses)
antispasmodic, asthma, bruises, congestion, cough, divining, frequent urination, goitre, headache, insanity, nursing, scrofula, snuff, sores, tumours, typhus, venereal disease, wounds
Plant Type
Herb (shrub)
Parts Used
Fruit, Leaf, Root, Seed
Origin
Naturalised
Distribution
Namibia (N), Swaziland (S), Limpopo Province (LIM), North-West Province (NW), Gauteng Province (G), Mpumalanga Province (M), Free State Province (FS), KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN), Northern Cape Province (NC), Western Cape Province (WC), Eastern Cape Province (EC)
Trade
Traded
Monograph Type
Expanded
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Article by Di-Di Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

LEARNER LOGIN

Lost your Password? Recover it here

Browse Monographs by Application

abdominal pain abscesses anthelmintic aphrodisiac asthma blisters burns and scalds chest pains colds colic constipation cough diabetes diarrhoea dizziness dysentery eczema emetic enema epilepsy evil fever fodder furniture haemorrhoids headache high blood pressure indigestion infertility insomnia jaundice menses pimples purgative ringworm snakebite snakes snuff sores sore throat sunburn syphilis tonic venereal disease wounds

Popular Courses

  • cooking with herbs and spices Cooking With Herbs and Spices - Mini Masterclass
    Rated 4.78 out of 5
    $15.92
  • level 6 professional family herbalist Professional Family Herbalist - Complete 12-in-1 Course Bundle $239.60
  • level 3 professional family herbalist course bundle Level 3 Professional Family Herbalist: 6-in-1 Course Bundle $119.60

Recent Comments

  • Madelein Fouche on Meet The Medicinal Plant Families of southern Africa
  • Madelein Fouche on Using Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) Like The Pro’s
  • Mary Morris on How To Brew The Perfect Pot of Borage Tea
  • Mary Morris on The Pros and Cons of Meal Planning
  • Mary Morris on Guiding Principles When Cooking With Herbs and Spices

Member Admin

  • About
  • FAQ’s
  • Terms of Service
  • Contact Us

Registrations

  • Amateur Herbalist
  • Professional Herbalist
  • Master Green Healer
  • Masterclasses

Need Help?

+27 82 416 7145

Connect With Us

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

Copyright © 2004 – 2022 All Rights Reserved