Sanskrit: Dhattura, Dusthara, Unmatta, Durdhura
English: Devil’s trumpet, Jimson weed, Devil’s snare.
Hindi: Dattura
Malayalam: Neela Ummam, Ummam, Ummath, Kurukoomatha, Koomatha
(ഉമ്മം, ഉമ്മത്ത്, കരുകൂമത, കുമത)
Devil’s trumpet is an annual plant, shrub-like herbaceous, annual plant, short-lived perennial that can grow up to 2 m in height, leaves are big and green in color, alternately arranged, 10 to 20 cm long, and 5 to 18 cm broad, with a lobed sometime toothed margin. The stem and branches are violet colored, flowers are creamy in the shade of violet and shaped like a trumpet, sized 6 to 8 in length, fruits are spiny capsules sized up to 10 cm long and up to 6 cm broad, while matured it splitting and burst to release the numerous seeds, the seeds are small, flat and white.
Datura stramonium, commonly known as Jimson weed or thorn apple, is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, though its use is not without risks due to its toxic nature. It contains alkaloids like atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, which can have both therapeutic and harmful effects depending on the dosage and preparation.
In Ayurveda, Datura stramonium has been used cautiously and sparingly, mainly for its potential therapeutic properties. Some of its traditional uses include:
1. Analgesic Properties: Datura stramonium has been used for its analgesic properties, which can help alleviate pain in certain conditions. However, due to its high toxicity, this usage is generally avoided or done under strict supervision.
2. Respiratory Conditions: It has been used in Ayurveda to address respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and cough. The alkaloids in Datura stramonium can help relax bronchial smooth muscles, which may provide relief for respiratory distress.
3. Antispasmodic: The plant has been used as an antispasmodic agent, which can help in conditions characterized by muscle spasms or cramps.
4. Sedative: In some cases, Datura stramonium has been used for its sedative properties. It may help induce sleep or relaxation.
5. Anti-inflammatory: It has been employed in traditional medicine for its potential anti-inflammatory properties, which could be beneficial in certain conditions involving inflammation.
6. Antidote for Snakebite: In some regions, Datura stramonium has been used traditionally as an antidote for snakebites, although its effectiveness in this regard is not well-documented.
It’s crucial to emphasize that the use of Datura stramonium in Ayurveda or any other traditional system of medicine should be approached with great caution. This plant is highly toxic and its ingestion can lead to serious health complications, including hallucinations, delirium, seizures, and even death.
Leaf Arrangement
| Shape-Diamond | Margin-Entire | Venation-Reticulate |
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Useful plant parts:
Whole plant, dried flower,
Medicinal uses:
Cough, fever, dandruff, Asthma, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, heart troubles, urinary problems, tooth pain.
Chemical content:
Tropane alkaloids- highly poisonous, diploid I and tetraploid II, atropine.
Medicinal properties:
Aphrodisiac, analgesic, anti asthmatic.
How to prepare medicines:
Dried flowers cut into too-small pieces and smoked like a cigarette to get relief from Asthma
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