PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS JIMSON WEED/437

Habitat: Jimson Weed is found in most temperate and

subtropical parts of the world, probably originated in Central

America.

Production: Jimson Weed leaf consists of the dried leaf, or

the dried leaves and flowering tops of Datura stramonium.

Jimson Weed seed consists of the ripe seed of Datura

stramonium.

Other Names: Devil's Apple. Devil's Trumpet, Jamestown

Weed, Mad-Apple. Nightshade. Peru-Apple, Stinkweed,

Stinkwort, Stramonium, Thorn-Apple, Datura

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: JIMSON WEED LEAF

Tropane alkaloids (0.1-0.65%): chief alkaloids (-)-hyoscya-

mine, under drying conditions changing over to some extent

into atropine and scopolamine (ratio 4:1), furthermore

including, among others, apoatropine, belladonnine,

tigloylmeteloidin

Flavonoids

Hydroxycoumarins: including, among others, umbelliferone,

scopolin, scopoletin

Withanolide: including, among others, withastramonolide

COMPOUNDS: JIMSON WEED SEED

Tropane alkaloids (0.4-0.6%): chief alkaloids (-)-hyoscya-

mine, under drying conditions changing over to some extent

into atropine, and scopolamine (ratio 4:1).

Indole alkaloids ($-carboline type): including, among others,

fluorodaturin (very fluorescent).

Lectins

Fatty oil (15-45%)

Proteins (12-25%)

EFFECTS: JIMSON WEED LEAF AND SEED

The drug contains alkaloids (hyoscyamine, scopolamine) in

extremely varying concentrations. The effect is anticholiner-

gic and parasympatholytic (see Belladonna); the scopola-

mine fraction is more responsible for this effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

JIMSON WEED LEAF AND SEED

Due to the inconsistent alkaloid content of the raw herb, the

authors do not recommend use of non-standardized Jimson

Weed products.

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, Jimson Weed preparations
have been used for asthma, convulsive cough, pertussis
during bronchitis and influenza, for severe catarrh and as an
expectorant. It was also used as a basic therapy for diseases
of the autonomic nervous system. In the 18th century

stramonium was first used for epileptic fits, and it was also

used for hallucinogenic effect in magic and witch potions.

Homeopathic Uses: Used for infection with high tempera-

tures, cramps and inflammations of the eyes.

Chinese Medicine: Used in Chinese medicine for general

states of pain. It is smoked for asthma, dyspnea and coughs;

externally for rheumatism.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

JIMSON WEED LEAF AND SEED

Glaucoma, suspicion of glaucoma, paralytic ileus, pyloric

stenosis, enlarged prostate, tachycardic arrhythmias, acute

pulmonary edema.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

JIMSON WEED LEAF AND SEED

General: Patients with urine retention or coronoary sclerosis

should not use Jimson Weed.

Drug Interactions: Jimson Weed will have an additive effect

when taken with other anticholinergic medications.

OVERDOSAGE

JIMSON WEED LEAF AND SEED

The intake of very high dosages leads to central excitation

(restlessness, compulsive speech, hallucinations, delirium,

manic episodes), followed by exhaustion and sleep.

The 4 early warning symptoms of poisoning are skin

reddening, dryness of the mouth, tachycardic arrhythmias

and mydriasis. Accommodation disorders, heat build-up

through decline in sweat secretion, miction disorders and

severe constipation can occur as side effects, particularly

with overdosages.

Lethal dosages (for adults starting at 100 mg atropine,

depending upon atropine content, 15 to 100 g of the leaf

drug, 15 to 25 g of the seed drug, considerably less for

children) carry with them the danger of asphyxiation.

Treatment for poisonings include stomach emptying, temper-

ature-lowering measures with wet cloths (no antipyretics),

oxygen respiration for respiratory distress, intubation, paren-

teral physostigmine salts as antidote, diazepam for spasms

and chlorpromazine for severe excitation.

DOSAGE

JIMSON WEED LEAF

Daily Dosage: Stabilized leaf powder: 0.05 to 0.1 gm drug

as a single dose up to 3 times a day; daily dose: 0.6 gm drug

(OAB90); as a narcotic: 1 gm drug.

Homeopathic Dosage: from D4: 5 to 10 drops, 1 tablet or 5

to 10 globules 1 to 3 times a day or 1 ml injection solution sc

twice weekly; eye drops 1 to 3 times a day (HAB1).

Storage: Keep carefully stored and protected from light.