#Datura ,धतूरा (Datura Stramonium)

Botanical Classification :

Botanical Name: Datura Stramonium
Family: Salanaceae
Genus: Datura
Species:  D. stramonium 

Conman  Name: Jimson Weed, Stink weed, Mad Apple, Thorn Apple Stramonium, Dhatura Tatula, Datura Seeds
Parts Used: Seeds, Flowers, Leaves
Habitat: Common in Northwestern Himalayas and foot hills on dry slopes up to 1800 m altitude.

Introduction of Plant:

Datura species are herbaceous, leafy annuals and short-lived perennials which can reach up to 2 m in height. The leaves are alternate, 10–20 cm long and 5–18 cm broad, with a lobed or toothed margin. 

Flowers :

The flowers are erect or spreading (not pendulous like those of Brugmansia), trumpet-shaped, 5–20 cm long and 4–12 cm broad at the mouth; colors vary from white to yellow, pink, and pale purple. 

Fruit :

The fruit is a spiny capsule 4–10 cm long and 2–6 cm broad, splitting open when ripe to release the numerous seeds. The seeds disperse freely over pastures, fields and even wasteland locations.

Datura belongs to the classic "witches' weeds", along with deadly nightshade, henbane, and mandrake. Most parts of the plants contain toxic hallucinogens, and datura has a long history of use for causing delirious states and death. It was well known as an essential ingredient of love potions and witches' brews

seeds:

Uses & Benefits of Datura

• datura is internally used in relieving the spasm of bronchitis in asthma. It is also used in the treatment of Parkinsonism and Hemorrhoids. Its leaves, applied after roasting, are useful in relieving pain.
• The bitter narcotic plant relieves pain and encourages the healing process. The plant has a very long history of being used as herbal medicine.
• Its leaves, flowering tops and seeds have anodyne, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, hallucinogenic, hypnotic, mydriatic and narcotic properties. The seeds of the plant are the most active medicinally.
• datura is internally used for treating giddiness, dry mouth, hallucinations and coma.
• Externally, the plant is used as a poultice in treating fistulas, abscesses wounds and severe neuralgia.
• Traces of scopolamine are also found in the plant, which is a potent cholinergic-blocking hallucinogen that has been used to calm schizoid patients.
• Its leaves, containing hyoscyamine and atropine, can be used as an immensely powerful mind-altering drug.
• The seeds of datura are analgesic, anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory and as such, they are used in the treatment of stomach and intestinal pain that results from worm infestation, toothache, and fever from inflammations.
• The juice of its fruit is applied to the scalp, to treat dandruff and falling hair.
• The growing plant works as an insect repellant, which protects neighboring plants from insects.

Caution

• Datura is very poisonous and should be used with extreme caution. It is to be used only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, as the difference between a medicinal dose and toxic dose can be .