The datura (Datura stramonium) is hard to miss in the garden. Its large, funnel-shaped white or violet-blue flowers shine from afar. While the nightshade plant (Solanaceae) is beautiful to look at when in bloom, exudes a sweet-sweet scent, and attracts many insects, it's not nearly as benign as it first appears. Datura contain toxins in all of their plant parts. A cultivation in the garden should therefore be carefully considered. Here you can find out how poisonous the datura really is and whether there is a reporting requirement.
Datura
The annual shrub is also known under various other names such as dollwort, sleeping apple, witch's herb or devil's apple. It is very often confused with its larger and far more colorful relatives, the angel's trumpets (Brugmansia). Both have more or less large funnel flowers. The only difference between the plants is the arrangement of the flowers and the size. Because the datura is smaller and more delicate in its overall shape. The stately angel's trumpets captivate with large funnels hanging upside down. In contrast, the flowers of Datura stramonium, as the thorn apple is botanically called, stand upright. The prickly spherical fruits, which can be up to five centimeters in size, with hundreds of small, black seeds, are typical of the dollwort. Both plants belong to the nightshade family poisonous and to be treated with caution.
notice: Gloves should always be worn when handling Datura stramonium. The sap can cause skin irritation. Of course, the same applies to the angel's trumpets.
Is the thorn apple notifiable?
Although thorn apple is poisonous in all its plant parts, it has nevertheless become a popular garden plant. Most of the time, the nightshade plant settles in the gardens by itself. The seed is spread by birds, the wind or contaminated potting soil. Despite its toxicity, the culture is an annual plant not reportable.
In the right location, the plant even has the potential to be an attractive ornamental plant. It is very undemanding, easy to care for and very popular with insects. On the other hand, datura are extremely invasive. They spread rapidly by self-seeding. It is therefore advisable to remove the plants before the seeds have ripened.
notice: Due to the toxicity of all parts of the plant, it should not be cultivated in the garden if there are small children or pets in the household.
How poisonous is Datura?
In this country, these nightshades are among the most poisonous plants. The main ingredients in all parts of the plant are the alkaloids
- atropine
- scopolamine and
- hyoscyamine
contain. The roots and seeds of the thorn apple are particularly poisonous. Here the toxins are present in a very high concentration. However, the active ingredient content and the composition can vary enormously depending on the weather, season and origin or location of the plants. Because of this, not every dose has to be equally fatal. The poison concentration can vary between 0.2 and 0.4 percent.
Consuming this plant, mainly the seeds and leaves, can lead to health problems very quickly. Even the intake of 0.3 g of the toxins can be life-threatening. Normally, the lethal effect of scopolamine is at a dose of 50 g, but in combination with the other ingredients, a much smaller dose can lead to symptoms of poisoning and ultimately death from respiratory paralysis. For example, ingestion of four to five petals can be fatal in children. Even more dangerous are the small black seeds. Even five to ten grains bring a lethal dose.
notice: The culture of Datura is not prohibited in the garden and does not require reporting. However, the annual plant should always be disposed of properly and no parts of the plant should be consumed.
Poisoning by Datura
Accidental ingestion of datura leaves or seeds can sometimes occur. In most cases, however, the components of this plant lead to poisoning in adolescents who intentionally consume the plant parts. Datura leaves and seeds are used around the world as a substitute for intoxicants and hallucigens. After ingestion, in most cases the first symptoms appear after a few minutes to an hour. Due to slowed bowel movement, the condition can last up to two days.
The alkaloids it contains are known for their anticholinergic properties. In other words, they reverse certain effects of the parasympathetic nervous system, a part of the autonomic nervous system. Uncontrollability, intoxication and various symptoms of intoxication occur. In every respect is therefore in any case of use as an intoxicant due to high toxicity and poor controllability discouraged. In general, of course, you should stay away from all intoxicants. Even a low dose can cause severe symptoms of poisoning with a wide variety of symptoms.
notice: Poisoning can also be made worse by drinking alcohol at the same time. In addition, frequent abuse of this “drug” quickly leads to dependency.
recognize symptoms
Due to the different concentrations of the toxins contained, on the one hand a dosage can be poorly estimated and on the other hand the symptoms that occur in the event of poisoning can express themselves very differently. Depending on the amount of poison ingested and depending on the person affected, there are more or less severe reactions. If you suspect that you have taken dollwort, you should look out for the following signs:
- skin irritation
- high temperature
- dilated pupils and sensitivity to light
- Muscle twitching, cramps and movement disorders
- Restlessness and increased excitement
- swallowing and speech disorders
- visual and balance disorders
- cardiac arrhythmia and loss of consciousness
- low blood pressure and increased heart rate
- aggressiveness, fits of rage and belligerence
- thirst, dry mouth
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation and urinary tract obstruction
- talkativeness or drowsiness
A very high dosage leads to strong intoxication associated with a hallucination, confusion, clouding of consciousness and optical hallucinations. In an acute intoxication, a so-called horror trip, i.e. fear trip, can quickly occur. This is accompanied by states of anxiety, panic attacks, crying fits, loss of self-awareness, pronounced delusions of persecution and even fear of death. Symptoms usually appear two to four hours after ingestion and can last for several days. Mainly a widening of the pupils can be observed over different days. In the worst case, death occurs from respiratory paralysis.
notice: Since taking the intoxicant is usually accompanied by a loss of control, caution is advised as there is an increased risk of accidents.
First aid
As soon as poisoning is detected, intensive care treatment in the hospital must take place as quickly as possible. This includes
- a gastric lavage
- administration of activated charcoal
- Administration of benzodiazepines and neuroleptics and
- intravenous fluids
Since there is not always a hospital nearby, the first measures must be taken on site. Of course, the notification of an emergency doctor is absolutely necessary. Alternatively, depending on the condition of the person concerned, they can be transported to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible. Other measures are
- Contact the information center against poisoning in Bonn
- after consultation with the doctor administration of activated charcoal
- constant control of vital functions
Strong black coffee or oak bark tea is often given as the first remedy. However, this does not mean that intensive medical treatment can be dispensed with.
Datura as medicine
Thousands of years ago, the narcotic, damaging and poisonous effects of thorn apple were known. They were often used in ritual acts because of their hallucinogenic effects. In Europe, parts of this plant were first officially used as medicine in the 18th century by the Viennese doctor Anton von Stoerck. Very often it was used as an antispasmodic in asthma, bronchitis and whooping cough as an expectorant. Due to the
- soothing
- antispasmodic
- antitussive and
- analgesic
It was also used against nervousness, neuralgia, eye injuries, infectious diseases and externally against rheumatism. Only leaves and seeds were used for treatment.
Parts of this plant are still used medicinally in Eastern Europe and Western Asia today. In Western Europe, however, this is no longer of great importance. It is only used in precisely defined indication areas, but not in the conventional form, but only as isolated and synthetically modified extracts from the nightshade plant. The powerful ingredient scopolamine is isolated and chemically modified here. Such remedies are particularly effective in asthma, spasmodic pain in the gastrointestinal tract or the uterus.
notice: Medicines containing the active ingredients of datura require a prescription. Its use is therefore only permitted under medical supervision. Self-medication is strongly discouraged.
notice: Please note that this article is by no means a substitute for a doctor's visit. There is no guarantee of the correctness of medical statements.
Detailed information on first aid in the event of poisoning and important information on the poison control centers can be found here.