Jimson Weed

Jimson Weed

See also : Stramonium (Homeopathy)
Other Names: Angel Tulip, Chasse-Taupe, Datura, Datura inermis, Datura lurida, Datura Officinal, Datura Parviflora, Datura stramonium, Datura tatula, Devil's Apple, Devil's Trumpet, Endormeuse, Estramonio, Herbe du Diable, Herbe aux Magiciens, Herbe aux Sorciers, Herbe aux Taupes, Higuera del Diablo, Jamestown Weed, Locoweed, Mad-apple, Man Tao Luo, Nightshade, Peru-apple, Pomme Épineuse, Pomme Poison, Pommette Féroce, Stinkweed, Stinkwort, Stramoine, Stramoine Commune, Stramonium, Thorn-apple, Trompette des Anges, Trompette de la Mort, Yiang Jin Hua.
Jimson weed is a plant. The leaves and seeds are used to make medicine.

Special Precautions of Jimson Weed

• Jimson weed is UNSAFE. It is poisonous and can cause many toxic effects including dry mouth and extreme thirst, vision problems, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate, hallucinations, high temperature, seizures, confusion, loss of consciousness, breathing problems, and death. The deadly dose for adults is 15-100 grams of leaf or 15-25 grams of the seeds.
• Do not give jimson weed to children. They are more sensitive than adults to the toxic effects of jimson weed. Even a small amount can kill them.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Jimson weed is UNSAFE for both mother and child.
• Congestive heart failure (CHF): Jimson weed might cause rapid heartbeat and make CHF worse.
• Constipation: Jimson weed might cause constipation.
• Down syndrome: People with Down syndrome might be especially sensitive to the dangerous side effects of jimson weed.
• Esophageal reflux: In esophageal reflux, food and liquid in the stomach leak backwards into the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach (esophagus). Jimson weed might make this condition worse because it slows down the process that empties the stomach. It also lowers the pressure in the bottom of the esophagus, making it more likely that stomach contents will go back up.
• Fever: Jimson weed might make fever worse.
• Stomach ulcer: Jimson weed might delay stomach emptying and make ulcers worse.
• Stomach and intestinal infections: Jimson weed might slow down the emptying of the stomach and intestines. As a result, “bad” bacteria and the toxins they produce could remain in the digestive tract longer than usual. This could make infections caused by these bacteria worse.
• Hiatal hernia: Hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach is pushed up into the chest through a hole or tear in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest space from the stomach space. Taking jimson weed might make hiatal hernia worse. It can slow down the process that empties the stomach.
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is an eye disease. It raises the pressure inside the eye and can lead to blindness, if it isn’t treated. Jimson weed is especially dangerous for people with glaucoma because it might raise the pressure inside the eye even more.
• Obstructive digestive tract disorders, including atony, paralytic ileus, and stenosis: Jimson weed might make these conditions worse.
• Rapid heartbeat: Jimson weed might make this condition worse.
• Toxic megacolon: In this life-threatening condition, the large intestine (colon) suddenly becomes extra wide because of an infection or other intestinal disorder. Taking jimson weed might make this condition worse.
• Ulcerative colitis: This is an inflammatory bowel disorder that affects the large intestine. Taking jimson weed might make this condition worse.
• Difficulty passing urine (urinary retention): Taking jimson weed might make this condition worse.
• Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs) interacts with JIMSON WEED

Benefits and uses of Jimson Weed are

• Despite serious safety concerns, jimson weed is used to treat asthma, cough, flu (influenza), swine flu, and nerve diseases.
• Some people use it as a recreational drug to cause hallucinations and a heightened sense of well-being (euphoria).