Datura stramonium is also known by many as thorn apple. They grow in a dry waste ground and they are usually found in ruins or rubbles of an old building. Although this plant is poisonous it has been used before for medicinal use.
Datura StramoniumThis bloom on the months of July to October but the seeds ripen at the start of august. It has a hermaphrodite flower that is pollinated by moths.
It grows on sandy to loamy soils and the soil has to be neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It doesn’t grow on shades and it requires moist or dry soils.
Datura StramoniumIt is not an edible plant. Be careful when you use herbs as they can have adverse effects. It is recommended that you seek advice from a health professional before using herbs.
Thorn apple is a narcotic plant than can relieve pain. It has been used as an herbal medicine in the ancient times. It has to be used with extra precaution because it is very poisonous. The leaves, the flowers and seeds contain anodyne, narcotic, antiasthmatic, hallucinogenic, antispasmodic, hypnotic and mydriatic. The seeds are used in medicine. The plant is used to treat asthma, Parkinson’s disease, dry mouth, hallucinations and coma. It is used as dressing to wounds, abscesses and fistulas.
A legal practitioner should be the one to administer the herb as the difference of the medicinal dose and the poisonous dose is very small. When the plant is in full flower the leaves can be harvested then dried to be used later. The leaves have hyoscyamine and atropine which can be used to alter the mind. It also has other substances that are powerful enough to calm schizoid patients. A substance called Atropine is used in eye surgery as it can dilate the pupils. The leaves can be smoked to treat asthma but it is very dangerous. It’s analgesic, and anti-inflammatory characteristics can treat intestinal pains due to worm infestation. The juice of the fruit can be used to treat dandruff.
Datura StramoniumThe plant is also used to protect plants growing near it. When the plant is crushed, it has a nauseating stench.
Growing Thorn apples
It grows in sandy soils and an open location. The plant is cultivated for medicinal purposes. It grows well together with pumpkins but it should not be grown with potato and tomato as it is susceptible to viruses. It is best to plant them during spring.