Jimson Weed Carries Some Suspect Effects
June 19th, 2009 by Rick
Due to a recent overdose from jimson weed seeds by three teens in Spokane, another hallucinogenic plant has been put on the radar. Datura stramonium, a member of the nightshade family, has foul-smelling leaves, prickly fruit and purple or white trumpet-shaped flowers that often grow wild, up to seven feet tall, in the United States.
Spokeswoman Julie Graham, for the Spokane Regional Health District said:
People should be wary of jimson weed’s toxicity.
Never heard of jimson weed? Apparently it has many slang names:
- augushka
- ditch weed
- stinkweed
- loco weed
- Korean morning glory
- Jamestown weed
- thorn apple
- angel’s trumpet
- devil’s trumpet
- Beelzebub’s Twinkie (haha)
- devil’s snare
- devil’s seed
- mad hatter
- crazy tea
The Navajo had a little folklore with the plant:
Eat a little, and go to sleep. Eat some more, and have a dream. Eat some more, and don’t wake up.
Medical experts say:
The plant’s seeds, leaves and flowers are dangerous and should not be eaten, smoked or brewed into a tea.
Apparently the health problems it generates leaves some cause for concern:
- extreme dilation of the pupil
- flushed, warm and dry skin
- dry mouth
- urinary retention
- slowing or stopping of intestinal movement
- jerky movements
A jimson weed overdose could lead to hypothermia, a coma or even seizures. Already there have been deaths linked to this plant’s use.
