Jimsonweed leaf and seed
Stramonii folium/-semen
Stramoniumbltter/-samen
Published February 1, 1990
Name of Drug
Stramonii folium, jimsonweed leaf, thorn apple.
Stramonii semen, jimsonweed seed.
Composition of Drug
Jimsonweed leaf consists of the dried leaf, or the dried leaves and flowering tops of Datura stramonium L. [Fam. Solanaceae], as well as preparations thereof.
Jimsonweed seed consists of the ripe seed of D. stramonium L., as well as preparations thereof.
Uses
Jimsonweed preparations are used for asthma, spastic or convulsive cough, pertussis during bronchitis and influenza, and as basic therapy for diseases of the autonomic nervous system.
The effectiveness for the claimed applications is not sufficiently documented.
Risks
Jimsonweed leaf and seed contain 0.1 - 0.6 percent alkaloids. Main alkaloids are L-hyoscyamine and L-scopolamine.
Poisonings with fatal consequences are described. The amount of available alkaloids in inhalant therapies, such as fumigations and "asthma cigarettes" cannot be calculated.
Because of the euphoric action of this herb, abuse and dependency occurs.
Evaluation
Since the effectiveness is not sufficiently documented, the application of jimsonweed leaf and seed and their preparations cannot be justified because of their risks.
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