Datura meteloides (Datura wrightii, D. innoxia)
Sacred Datura, Toloache
Datura discolor
Desert thornapple
Datura stramonium
Jimsonweed, Jamestown weed
Solanaceae – Nightshade family
Description
Datura meteloides is a large, herbaceous, 2-3 foot high perennial. It tends to be mound-like in growth and has large, grayish-green leaves. They are ovoid in shape, can be toothed and deeply lobed, and are narrowed at the tip and wider at the base. They are aligned alternately along the many-branched stems. The flowers are folded into compact swirls before they fully form. After unfurling the large funnel-form flowers are white and sometimes suffused with violet. They originate from forks in the upper branch stems. Each flower does not last long; they open in the evening and typically wither by the middle of the next day. The green circular seedpods droop downward (as opposed to D. stramonium’s, which remain upright) and are covered with coarse, slender spikes. After drying the brown pods contain numerous, compact, small kidney shaped seeds that are light brown. Brought to my attention by Y.C., an acquaintance, the whole plant smells peanut-like.
Datura discolor is a smaller, 1-2 foot high annual with grayish-green, several inch long, ovate leaves. The flowers, which emerge from a 2-3 inch long calyx, are trumpet-like. The floral tube is constricted, opening widely at the very end. The corolla is white, tinged with violet, and is 10-toothed. The spiny, drooping seedpods contain numerous black seeds. D. stramonium is a leggy annual sometimes reaching 5 feet in height. Its coarsely lobed-toothed leaves are dark green and prominently veined. Depending on variety D. stramonium’s trumpet shaped flowers are 3-5 inches long and are either white or purplish. The upright seedpods are situated between the upper stem branches. The seeds are dark brown to black at maturity.
Distribution
Datura meteloides is widely distributed throughout the southwest. It can be found from central California, east to Colorado and Texas, and south through Arizona and New Mexico. The plant frequents numerous vegetative zones: Creosote Bush and Coastal California Sage Scrub, and mid-elevation Grasslands, among other areas. From sea level to nearly 6,500 feet look for the plant along slopes, washes, and other drainage areas. D. meteloides is fond of disturbed soils – roadsides, the sides of washes, and over grazed rangelands are some of its favorites.
Datura discolor is limited to elevations below 2,000 feet, but on occasion it has been reported up to 4,000 feet. The plant is found from southeastern California to southern Arizona. Disturbed soils, washes, and other drainage areas are places where the plant is found. D. stramonium, native to Tropical America or North America (no one is sure), is sporadic in distribution. Look for it in vacant lots and waste areas throughout the country.
Chemistry
Tropane alkaloids for Datura discolor, very similar for D. meteloides: hyoscine (scopolamine), apohyoscine, norhyoscine, hyoscyamine, meteloidine, tropine, atropine, littorine, and cuscohygrine; flavonoids: quercetin and kaempferol
Medicinal Uses
Datura is one of the strongest analgesic herbs we employ. Its influences are drug-like. The leaf poultice, oil, or liniment will give symptomatic relief to swollen and painful sports injuries, contusions, sprains, and the like. The freshly pureed leaf, alone or mixed with Prickly pear or Aloe leaf pulp, is soothing and will relieve pain from burns. Datura’s broad antimicrobial activity keeps infection from setting in damaged, susceptible tissues. Datura oil applied to hemorrhoids reduces swelling and associated discomfort. A liniment soaked cloth applied to a throbbing headache is pain relieving. The same external preparations are applied over the lower abdomen for menstrual and intestinal cramps. It is also of use in diminishing back or leg muscle spasms from over work, injury, or stress.
The dried foliage of Datura is crushed and rolled to make a cigarette, packed into a pipe, or simply lit on a small tray. Several inhalations of the smoke are taken for the bronchial constriction of asthma or severe allergies from pollen or insect stings. It by no means is safer than regular medications, but it works in a pinch when the latter are not available. Datura exerts an anticholinergic effect on bronchial passageways, opening the area so air can be more fully inhaled and exhaled.
Collection and Preparations
The entire plant is medically active, although the leaves and/or seed capsules are the most practical part to collect. Dry the leaves and seed capsules for storage or tincture fresh for the liniment.
Dosage
Liniment: topically 3-4 times daily
Oil/salve/wash: topically 3-4 times daily
Smoke: several inhalations 2-3 times daily in acute situations
Cautions
Apart from smoking small amounts, Datura should not be used orally. Internally, in very small amounts, the plant does have other therapeutic uses, although it is best to leave those to advanced practitioners. Ingested the plant is toxic and can lead to a number of nervous system derangements, temporary or permanent blindness not being the least of them. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Prolonged external application can affect the central nervous system. Remember, exposed surface area plus duration equals dosage. Stop external application, particularly for headache pain, if dizziness and altered vision are sensed.