Datura metel

Datura metel
Family:Datura metel; Anaesthetic; Anodyne; Antiasthmatic; Antispasmodic; Antitussive; Hallucinogenic; Hypnotic; Mydriatic.
Common name:Thorn apple
The whole plant but especially the leaves and seed is anaesthetic anodyne antiasthmatic antispasmodic antitussive bronchodilator hallucinogenic hypnotic and mydriatic. It has a wide range of applications in India including in the treatment of epilepsy hysteria insanity heart diseases fever with catarrh diarrhoea skin diseases etc. In China it is used in the treatment of asthma. Great caution is advised since excess doses cause hallucinations severe intoxication and death. The toxic dose is very close to the medicinal dose so this plant should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. See also the notes above on toxicity. The plant contains the alkaloids hyoscyamine hyoscine and atropine. Atropine dilates the pupils and is used in eye surgery. Total alkaloid content of the leaves is 0.426% which is mainly atropine. The seeds contain 0.426% alkaloids which is mainly hyoscyamine. The roots contain 0.35% hyoscyamine. An extract of the flowers is used as an anaesthetic - 3 - 5g applied orally produces a general anaesthesia within 5 minutes and lasting 5 - 6 hours.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 02:49 []