Jimson Weed

Jimson Weed

• What Is It?

  • Plant known as a member of the nightshade family. Its leaves and seeds are used to make medicine but also as known to have hallucinogenic affects if taken inappropriately.

  • Scientific name goes by Datura stramonium.

• How Does It Work in the Body?

  • The leaves that are used contain antispasmodic properties that help with the treatment of asthma.

  • Jimson weed contains chemicals such as atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine that interfere with the acetylcholine in the brain and nerves.

• What Is It Used for?

  • Jimson weed can be used to make medicine and have been used to treat asthma, diarrhea, intestinal cramps, and nocturia due to its anticholinergic affects.

• What Dosage?

  • Dosages exceeding 10 mg is considered potentially lethal. The seeds can contain approximately 6 mg of atropine.

  • Further studies are needed to have a set dosage on what is considered safe for medicinal purposes.

• Evidence for or Against Its Different Uses:

  • A study was done to show the benefits of Jimson weed for asthma in pregnant patients along with potential adverse effects to the fetus.

  • Stated that the antimuscarinic effects of Jimson weed lead to the continuous bronchodilation to help with asthma but the release on acetylcholine can be harmful to the fetus.

• Safety Concerns, Side Effects, and Precautions:

  • Exposure to the fetus while a pregnant woman using Jimson weed comes from the continuous release of acetylcholine which can result in permanent damage to fetus.

  • Should be used with caution during pregnancy.

  • Acute Jimson weed poison is seen due to potential hallucinogen affects.

  • Symptoms include dry mouth, extreme thirst, dry skin, pupil dilation, impaired vision, urinary retention, rapid heartbeat, confusion, restlessness, and loss of consciousness.

  • Due to inhibition of central and peripheral muscarinic neurotransmission.

• Interactions with Medications:

  • Further studies have been shown in terms of interactions on Jimson weed and other medications.

  • However, toxicology reports are used due to lethal cases of Jimson weed ingestions in polysubstance abuse.

  • Those drugs including Alcohol, Marijuana, or Cocaine.