Datura grass: description and photo, benefits and harms. Datura ordinary (datura grass) - uses, properties, recipes, treatment, application

Datura is a plant with an ambiguous characteristic. Its beautiful large trumpet-shaped flowers fascinate with their beauty. However, the poisonousness of the plant deters many gardeners. The history of dope is very old, it is even impossible to establish exactly where its homeland is located. In the mythology and legends of the peoples of various continents, dope grass, datura, angel trumpets, henbane, moon flower or devil grass are mentioned. The plant was used by shamans to communicate with spirits and healers to get rid of terrible diseases. It can serve as a flower and an excellent decoration of the landscape. By taking precautions, you can easily grow Datura in own garden.

plant description

Datura is a herbaceous evergreen perennial. Most often found in tropical and subtropical regions, preferring steppe or mountainous areas. In temperate climates, Datura is grown as an annual crop. The plant has erect or decumbent stems. The length of the shoot can be 50-120 cm. It is fed by a long taproot rhizome, painted white or cream.

The tubular, hollow stem is covered on the outside with a smooth dark green or reddish bark. Over the years, the base becomes woody and acquires a reddish-brown color. On the trunk, lateral processes are formed with large serrated or oblong leaves. Each grows on a long petiole. Dark green foliage is alternate. The length of the leaf plate is about 15 cm, and the width is 10 cm. The surface of a dense leathery sheet is smooth, it is painted in lighter colors from below. A light stripe is located along the central vein.

From June until the first frosts, Datura pleases with large beautiful flowers. Single buds are formed in the axils of the leaves or on the forks of the stems. The length of the funnel, consisting of five sectors, can reach 25 cm, but more often it is 10-15 cm. The flowers are painted in white, yellow, pink, lilac or purple. They can have a simple bell shape with fused petals, or a more complex spiral structure of the petals. The flowers of some species are completely odorless, while others exude an intense pleasant aroma. Datura is a nocturnal flower, its buds open at sunset and close in the morning. Flowering can be observed during the day in cloudy weather.

The fruits are in large oblong seed boxes. They are covered with dense dark green skin with long spines. Inside the raft is divided into 4 compartments, which contain round or kidney-shaped black seeds 3-3.5 mm long. Fruiting begins in July.

Types of Datura

The Datura genus is represented by 13 species. In culture, 3 of them are most often used.

A tenacious plant, which in many countries is considered a weed, grows to a height of 1.2 m. The herbaceous erect stem is covered with large cut leaves. The bush produces few flowers. From the end of June, it is covered with beautiful white corollas up to 10 cm long. The decorative garden variety tatula can please flower growers with bright blue funnels.

Very poisonous plant with gray-green ovate foliage. The flowers are white, simple or double, 10-12 cm long. The variety was used by the inhabitants of Central and North America as a hallucinogenic and sedative.

This species is considered the most decorative. It is most commonly found in culture. Plants form branched bushes about 1 m high. Large leaves on long petioles are oblong and dark green in color. Popular varieties:

• Ballerina - double flowers from several rows of fused funnels of light purple or yellow;
• Medea - dissolves simple snow-white flowers 15-20 cm long.
• Flore Pleno - double purple flowers, covered with white specks.

Reproduction methods

Datura, which is grown as an annual, is propagated by seeds. In order to get flowering plants as early as possible, it is first planted on seedlings. To do this, the seeds collected last summer are dried and stored in a cool place in a paper bag. In February, the seeds are soaked for 1-2 days in warm water, and then planted in containers with sandy-peat soil to a depth of 5 mm. During the germination period, the containers are kept at a temperature of 15°C. Shoots appear in 2-3 weeks. When 2 true leaves bloom on the seedlings, they swoop down in separate pots or disposable cups. Seedlings are grown in a room with bright, diffused light at a temperature of + 18 ... + 20 ° C. It should be watered moderately, but regularly. Plants with a height of 15 cm are planted in open ground.

In the southern regions, you can sow Datura immediately in open ground. They do this at the end of May, when the soil warms up enough and the likelihood of frost will recede completely. Seeds are planted in holes at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other, to a depth of 5 cm. Entrances appear slowly. The grown plants are thinned out, keeping a distance of about 1 m. Flowering is expected 3-4 weeks after emergence.

In autumn, cuttings can be cut from an adult dope bush. Apical shoots about 10 cm long are cut and rooted in garden soil with the addition of moss. It is recommended to process the lower cut with Kornevin. For the winter, seedlings are brought indoors, and in the spring they are transplanted into open ground or grown in large tubs.

plant care

Datura can be called unpretentious plant, however, some rules of care must be observed. Seedlings are planted in the ground in late May or early June. Between plants, a distance of 1 m is necessary, since datura develops poorly in cramped conditions. When planting, it is important to save the earthen ball, as the rhizome is easily damaged.

The place for planting should be sunny, dry and calm (stems break easily from strong gusts). The soil should be nutritious and loose. Soils with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction are suitable, in acidic soils lime before planting.

Datura loves regular watering. His big leaves evaporate a lot of moisture. With insufficient watering, they quickly wither and lose turgor. In the summer heat, the plant is watered daily or at least every other day. In this case, water should never stagnate at the roots. To preserve the decorativeness of the leaves, periodic spraying with clean water is necessary.

During the growing season and flowering, Datura is in great need of top dressing. Fertilizers are applied 2-4 times a month. It is almost impossible to overfeed this rapidly developing plant. Diluted mineral and organic complexes are applied to the soil. To make flowering more abundant, datura is watered with hard water. Occasionally, you can irrigate it with milk of lime. Lack of watering and fertilizers can lead to a decrease in flowering or complete shedding of unopened buds.

So that the shoots do not become bare in the lower part and the bush retains its decorative effect, it must be cut. Cropping results in more flowers. The procedure is carried out at the end of flowering or in early spring. If the plants are grown as perennials outdoors, late autumn all shoots are removed to the ground. Plant fresh seedlings in spring.

IN middle lane Datura does not hibernate in Russia in the open field. To beautiful bushes endured frosts, they should be grown in tubs. Or annually in the fall, transplant from open ground into deep pots. Plants cannot stand temperatures down to +6…+8°C. In winter, dope should be kept at + 10 ... + 12 ° C. In a hotter room, the stems will stretch and become even more exposed. It is watered very rarely. Lighting may be moderate. In early spring, the bushes are transplanted and taken out to lighter and warmer rooms.

Due to the long and abundant flowering, as well as large unusual corollas, Datura is a welcome guest in any garden. It is used in mixborders, flower beds and single plantings. Fragrant varieties will serve not only as a visual decoration, but also disguise bad smell from compost heap. Lateral shoots fall to the ground, forming a spherical bush. At the same time, it is necessary to limit access to the plant to children and animals.

Herb in medicine

Datura is a poisonous, hallucinogenic plant. Its juice contains alkaloids, especially atropine and scopolamine, as well as tannins, fats, carotene and essential oils. The largest number trace elements are present in seeds. Under the influence of Datura components, a person experiences hallucinations, amnesia, mental discomfort and loses coordination. The action can last several hours. With an overdose, irreversible processes in the brain are also possible.

For all its danger, Datura is used not only in traditional medicine and religious practices, but also in pharmacology. As you know, many poisons in small quantities serve as a medicine. With the help of preparations containing dope extract, they fight the following diseases:

• rheumatism;
• tachycardia;
• colitis;
• cholecystitis;
• bronchitis;
• bronchial asthma;
• neuralgia;
• seasickness.

Traditional medicine uses decoctions and tinctures with Datura to relieve nervous tension, relaxation of muscles, reduction of coughing attacks, asthma and reduction of convulsive seizures. Datura is also used to treat abdominal cramps, peptic ulcer and is used to prevent thrombosis. Leaves are harvested with the beginning of flowering. They are dried on fresh air under a canopy. Dry raw materials are ground into powder and stored in paper bags during a year. Roots can be harvested throughout the year.

Known use in the cosmetic industry depilatory oil from the leaves and roots of Datura. With regular rubbing into the skin, the hair becomes thinner and grows more slowly, and eventually disappears completely.

Datura is also used in animal husbandry. Fresh leaves are added to pig feed to promote fat formation. Herbal preparations help relieve spasms in cattle.

Precautionary measures

Despite all the positive properties, Datura remains one of the most poisonous plants in the world. Overdose signs are:

• dilated pupils;
• rapid pulse;
• skin redness;
• headache attack;
• dry mucous membranes.

If such symptoms are found, the stomach should be washed immediately, take absorbent agents and go to the hospital.

Sin .: stinky dope, divderevo, foolish, foolishness potion, foolish grass, crazy grass, prickly apples, badura, bodyak, cocklebur.

An annual herbaceous plant with an unpleasant odor. Known as a poisonous and medicinal plant, it has anticholinergic, antispasmodic and analgesic properties.

Ask the experts

flower formula

In medicine

For medicinal purposes, mainly leaves are used, preparations from them are used to treat bronchial asthma, respiratory diseases accompanied by spasm of the muscles of the bronchi, they are used to prepare anti-asthmatic drugs (asthmol, asthmatin), as well as Astmatin cigarettes. The leaves are part of the anti-asthma collections for smoking in bronchial asthma. Datura oil is part of the liniments used for rubbing with rheumatism and neuralgia.

All parts of the plant are highly poisonous, especially the seeds!

The main symptoms of poisoning: dilated pupils, dryness of the oral mucosa, hoarseness, frequent pulse, headache, hyperemia of the skin of the face and neck, severe thirst, motor agitation, hallucinations, unrelated speech, up to a coma. There are frequent cases of poisoning of children who tried to eat Datura seeds.

Help with poisoning - washing the stomach with weak solutions of potassium permanganate, prescribing anticholinesterase and cholinomimetic substances (ezerin, prozerin, pilocarpine), morphine, prescribing adsorbents followed by gastric lavage, and then conducting symptomatic therapy of a recovery plan.

In floriculture

Despite the poisonous properties of the plant, Datura can often be seen on flower beds. However, gardeners know this plant as "datura", the word comes from the Latin name - "datura". Its beautiful large bell-shaped flowers are loved by many. The flowers of the plant open in the evening and exude a strong intoxicating aroma. The aroma of datura (datura) is very attractive to insects that pollinate it. By the way, this plant is absolutely harmless to insects. There are many varieties of dope, differing appearance flowers. There are varieties with double flowers, as well as with different colors of the corolla - yellow, purple, purple.

Datura (datura) is an easy-to-care culture that is distinguished by the duration of flowering and an abundance of flowers. The flowering of the plant lasts from July until the end of summer, and sometimes even until the onset of frost.

Datura grows in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. This is especially important when planting seeds. The plant does well in both sun and partial shade. During the growth and flowering of the plant, it must be watered, especially in hot weather and sometimes feed.

Classification

Datura common or smelly Datura (lat. Datura stramonium L.) belongs to the Datura genus (lat. Datura) of the Solanaceae family (lat. Solanaceae). The Datura genus unites 25 species, whose homeland is the tropics and subtropics.

Botanical description

An annual unpleasantly smelling plant 100-120 cm high. The root is branched, fusiform. Stems glabrous, erect, forked. Branches, leaf petioles and veins are soft-haired. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate, pointed, wedge-shaped narrowed towards the base. Young upper leaves heavily pubescent. The leaf blade is up to 25 cm long, up to 20 cm wide. The upper side is green, the lower side is light green with strongly protruding veins. Flowers, large (8-10 cm long), solitary. Calyx half as long as corolla, five-toothed. Corolla white, up to 12 cm long, tubular-funnel-shaped, with a folded, wide five-lobed limb. Datura flower formula: * Ch5L5T5P2. The fruit is an ovoid capsule, with numerous hard and thick spines, which opens with four valves. Seeds 3-3.5 mm long, black, small, round-reniform, laterally compressed. It blooms for a long time, from June to autumn. Fruiting from July.

Spreading

Datura ordinary is the only species of the genus that grows in the south and in the middle zone of the European part of Russia, in the Crimea, in the North Caucasus, in the northern regions - rarely. Datura is native to the tropics and subtropics, where the remaining 10 species grow. Prefers rich, loose, fairly moist soils. It often grows in small groups near dwellings, in vegetable gardens, in wastelands, landfills, dunghills, along roadsides, along rivers. Cultivated in Krasnodar Territory.

Distribution regions on the map of Russia.

Procurement of raw materials

Harvest mainly Datura leaves, starting from the flowering phase and the beginning of fruit formation until autumn, during the growing season 3-4 times as the plant grows. Freshly picked leaves are quickly dried in dryers at a temperature of 40-50 0 C. Raw materials are harvested only from cultivated plants in our country - in the Krasnodar Territory.

Chemical composition

All organs contain alkaloids, mainly hyoscyamine, atropine, scopolamine: in leaves - 0.23-0.37%, stems - 0.06-0.24%, roots - 0.12-0.27%, flowers - 0 13-1.9%, seeds - 0.08-0.22%. In addition, Datura leaves contain up to 0.04% essential oil, up to 0.1% carotene and 1.7% tannins. Datura seeds contain 17-25% fatty oil, which includes glycerides of linoleic - 45%, oleic - 40%, palmitic - 12%, stearic - 2% and lignoceric acids.

Pharmacological properties

The therapeutic effect of dope ordinary is due to the anticholinergic, antispasmodic action of hyoscyamine and other alkaloids. Preparations based on Datura leaves are effective for convulsive coughing and for relieving spasms of the muscles of the bronchi.

Application in traditional medicine

Datura has long been known as a poisonous and medicinal plant. Already in the Middle Ages, Datura leaves were used in Europe as an analgesic. In folk medicine in many countries of the world, it was used for mental and nervous diseases, chronic and acute rheumatism, neuralgia, as well as shortness of breath.

History reference

Among the people, dope has many names: stinky dope, divderevo, stupid, dope potion, dope grass, crazy grass, prickly apples, badura, bodyak, cocklebur. All these names are associated with the poisonous properties of the plant.

It has been used as a medicinal plant since the 16th century. People have long paid attention to the action of poisonous substances contained in dope, they rubbed horses from gadflies, and fumigated contagious patients with dope. Datura was used as a hallucinogenic drug. In Europe, Datura was spread mainly by nomadic peoples. In the 16th century, Datura appeared in the wild in the vicinity of Innsbruck and Vienna. In gardens and garden plots, it became a "great miracle", its seeds were thrown on hot coals, inhaled by toxic smoke, people fell into the bliss of intoxication. In France, Datura was called “Herbe aux sorciers”. Arab peoples mixed dope in smoking tobacco and drinks to induce euphoria. In history, there are many facts of dope poisoning of many people who have become victims of political conspiracies or scammers.

Literature

1. Blinova K. F. et al. Botanical-pharmacognostic dictionary: Ref. allowance / Ed.

K. F. Blinova, G. P. Yakovlev. - M .: Higher. school, 1990. - S. 187. - ISBN 5-06-000085-0.

2. State Pharmacopoeia of the USSR. Eleventh edition. Issue 1 (1987), issue 2 (1990).

3. State Register of Medicines. Moscow 2004.

4. Ilyina T.A. medicinal plants Russia (Illustrated Encyclopedia). - M., "EKSMO" 2006.

5. Zamyatina N.G. Medicinal plants. Encyclopedia of the nature of Russia. M. 1998.

6. Medicinal plants: A reference guide. / N.I. Grinkevich, I.A. Balandina, V.A. Ermakova and others; Ed. N.I. Grinkevich - M.: Higher School, 1991. - 398 p.

7. Medicinal plants of the State Pharmacopoeia. Pharmacognosy. (Edited by I.A. Samylina, V.A. Severtsev). - M., "AMNI", 1999.

8. Medicinal plant materials. Pharmacognosy: Proc. allowance / Ed. G.P. Yakovlev and K.F. Pancake. - St. Petersburg: Spec. Lit, 2004. - 765 p.

9. Lesiovskaya E.E., Pastushenkov L.V. "Pharmacotherapy with the basics of herbal medicine." Tutorial. - M.: GEOTAR-MED, 2003.

10. Mannfried Palov. "Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants". Ed. cand. biol. Sciences I.A. Gubanov. Moscow, Mir, 1998.

11. Mashkovsky M.D. " Medicines". In 2 volumes - M., LLC "Publishing house New wave", 2000.

12. Nosov A.M. Medicinal plants in official and traditional medicine. M.: Eksmo Publishing House, 2005. - 800 p.

13. Plants for us. Reference manual / Ed. G.P. Yakovleva, K.F. Pancake. - Publishing house "Educational book", 1996. - 654 p.

14. Plant resources of Russia: Wild flowering plants, their component composition and biological activity. Edited by A.L. Budantseva. T.5. M.: Association of scientific publications KMK, 2013. - 312 p.

15. Sokolov S. Ya. Medicinal plants. - Alma-Ata: Medicine, 1991. - S. 118. - ISBN 5-615-00780-X.

16. Sokolov S.Ya., Zamotaev I.P. Handbook of medicinal plants (phytotherapy). - M.: VITA, 1993.

17. Turova A.D. "Medicinal plants of the USSR and their application". Moscow. "The medicine". 1974.

18. "Phytotherapy with the basics of clinical pharmacology", ed. V.G. Kukes. - M.: Medicine, 1999.

Datura flower has long been endowed with magical properties, and all because of its constituent alkaloids, which have a hallucinogenic effect and contribute to a person entering a trance state. The poisonous plant dope is popularly called the devilish or crazy grass, the drunkard or the witch flower. For growing Datura at home, only non-poisonous species are used.

Datura (Datura) belongs to the Solanaceae family. Homeland - South America.

Is one of the most interesting views plants with pharmacological properties. Reputed to be one of the strongest hallucinogens, datura, however, was widely used in both the Old and New Worlds; it continues to be used now, both in folk and in homeopathic and classical medicine.

The Aztecs used datura, which they called ololluqui, in the treatment of almost all diseases, including even paralysis, and also as part of an ointment used to treat wounds and cuts. The narcotic effect of the plant was also used by Aztec sorcerers to bring people together spiritually, inducing collective visions, causing people to laugh, cry, dance, or prophesy. Datura seeds were considered sacred, they were placed on altars or in special sacred boxes, which were offered as gifts to the Aztec deities.

Almost all Indian tribes of Central and South America used the plant, adding it to special drinks used during ritual ceremonies, initiation and witchcraft. Datura was also a very popular folk remedy. Using its anesthetic effect, healers used dope drink in some surgical operations, sometimes even doing craniotomy.

In the Caribbean, datura was also used as magical plant. Here it was known as "sorcerer's herb" and "zombie cucumber". These names themselves indicate the scope of dope - zombies. The victims of such practices were usually criminals who were not subject to other penalties. Then they were turned into zombies. In a strong herbal decoction, in which datura was one of the main components, the strongest extract of fish poison (d-tubucucurine) was added, and then the resulting drink was given to the criminal to drink. The effect of this potion on a person was that a person fell into a state of pseudo-coma with a complete lack of physical and mental sensitivity. In this state, all reflexes were completely absent, and consciousness was also absent. The zombie was declared dead, he was placed in a coffin with holes drilled for air access and buried in the grave with full observance of the funeral ceremony.

In China, the plant was also considered sacred. The Chinese believed that the Buddha received his sacred sermons from heaven, from where they fell in the form of raindrops and remained dewdrops on Datura petals. According to Taoist legend, Datura alba is believed to be the flower of one of the polar stars, whose messengers can always be recognized among other people, as they carry the flowers of this plant in their hands.

There is evidence that from ancient times crushed datura seeds mixed with wine or other drinks were used in India as an aphrodisiac, and mixed with oil and applied externally in the genital area, cured impotence. Such drugs were worth their weight in gold. Datura was also used in Indian medicine for mental disorders, various fevers, edema, skin diseases, burning in the chest, diarrhea.

Sacred prickly fruits of datura are often decorated with altars of ancient gods in the mountains of Tibet.

Some types of dope - Datura alba And Datura metel- have long been notorious in India. There even existed the profession of "poisoners with datura." The poisoner carefully blew the powder from Datura seeds through a tube into the sleeping man's nose. The man fell asleep even more soundly, and then everything valuable that was in his house was calmly carried away. Datura caused the same poisoning as henbane.

What does Datura grass look like and where does it grow: photo, video and description

Datura vulgaris – Datura stramonium L.- a woody shrub or herbaceous light green plant from the nightshade family, which has an unpleasant odor, with a spindle-shaped white root. Another name is brugmansia.

The stem is erect, 15 to 80 cm high, thick, branched at the top into 3 equal branches. In rooms it can reach 1 - 1.5 m. The leaves are simple, pubescent, alternate, with long petioles, dark green above, grayish green below. When describing the Datura plant, it is especially worth noting its large, drooping, long-tubular flowers, as a rule, white color. The flowers are held on short pedicels located in the axils of the stem and branches. The fruit is a four-celled, and at the top a two-celled box, covered with thorns on the outside.

These photos show what the dope looks like:

Datura common is found in Eurasia, North Africa, North and South America. The temperate zone of Europe and Asia is characterized by the species D. stramonium (common dope), D. tatula grows in Iran. Another species - D. innoxia, originally from Mexico, is widely used in folk medicine and religious rites of the Indian tribes of Central America.

In Russia, it grows in the steppe zone of the European part, in the southern regions of Siberia and Far East. Where Datura grows, there is always a human habitation nearby. It can be found near barnyards, on manure and garbage heaps, under fences, near housing, in abandoned livestock camps, along the banks of reservoirs, in landfills. It grows like a weed near roads, in wastelands, sometimes forming thickets.

Species growing in the tropics and subtropics are used to obtain scopolamine. In some places Datura is cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Datura flower is poisonous, but its name is a botanical curiosity: in translation, it means "harmless dope".

Watch the video "Datura grass and its properties":

Species and varieties.

D. harmless (D.inoxia)- delicate pure white flowers with a light blue calyx;

D. white (D. candida); D. arboreal (D. arborea);

D. fragrant, or fragrant (D. suaveolens) - fragrant flowers appear at the end of summer, autumn;

D. green-flowered (D. chlorantha), D. indian (D. metel)

D. Indian ‘Alba’ (D. metel "Alba"), D. blood red (B. sanguinea)- blooms in winter and early spring orange flowers; D. ordinary (V. stramonium).

The following describes how to grow Datura at home.

Growing dope plants at home

requirements for environmental conditions. Bright, sunny place. In winter, they are kept in bright and cool places with high humidity. The temperature is about 10 °C. Definitely in hot weather. Substrate - sheet and sod land, humus, sand (1:2:0.5:1).

Care. In spring and summer, indoor dope requires abundant watering. On hot days, water in the morning and evening. In winter, watering is reduced, but the clod is not allowed to dry out. During the growing season, flower fertilizers are applied twice a week. In winter, the plant is not fed. Young plants are transplanted annually. Adults - once every 2-3 years. Sometimes the dope transplant procedure at home is simplified by changing only in pots upper layer soil.

Reproduction. Non-lignified cuttings in spring with bottom heating.

medicinal value. Medicinal raw materials are leaves, grass (tops) and seeds. Leaves and grass are harvested during the flowering of the plant. Dry in the shade, in a well-ventilated attic or in a dryer at a temperature of 40-50 ° C. Seeds are harvested in autumn from ripe fruits, dried in a dryer or oven. Store in closed jars or boxes with well-closing lids for 2 years.

What is dangerous flower dope and help in case of poisoning

The most popular questions about this plant are what is the danger of the dope flower, what poisons are contained in the plant, what properties does it have, and what to do if you get poisoned by this herb?

Datura contains poisonous alkaloids: scopolamine (mainly in young plants), hyoscyamine (in adult plants), atropine, as well as tannins in almost all parts of the plant. The amount of alkaloids increases at night and decreases during the day. The leaves are mainly used flowering plants, which are harvested during flowering or immediately after, and quickly dried at a temperature of 45-50 ° C.

If there was an overdose of dope and poisoning with alkaloids, then the first aid is to wash the stomach. You need to drink 1 liter of water, try to induce vomiting, drink activated carbon, make an enema and call an ambulance.

Poisoning can manifest itself in increased heart rate, dry mucous membranes, cough. IN initial stage a person who has taken a large dose of dope may appear incoherent speech, causeless laughter, inhibition of actions, hallucinations, delirium, attacks of sudden rage. Periods of excitement are usually followed by a period of sleep with vivid dreams.

The plant has antispasmodic, anti-asthma, sedative effects. Datura found the widest application in homeopathy. Datura preparations can be used to treat asthma, bronchitis, respiratory diseases, nausea and dizziness during motion sickness, rheumatism, sciatica, gout, lumbago, and intestinal infections. Essential substances of dope have a calming effect, but in in large numbers may cause headache, shortness of breath. And in general, dope is better to be treated under the supervision of a doctor!

An enigmatic plant with beautiful flowers and a southern scent is known to be a powerful hallucinogen. Datura was used by ancient peoples in cult rituals, occultism and herbal medicine.

Origin

The exact homeland of Datura has not been established. Mentions of grass are found in the legends of all continents except Australia. One of the versions says that Datura was brought by the sailors of Columbus from the American continent. According to another, tribes of wandering gypsies found intoxicating grains near the Caspian Sea and spread them throughout Asia. But the greatest popularization of henbane was promoted by healers who transported seeds in their wanderings.

Belena was often used for magical rites. The Aztec tribes considered the flower sacred. Priests used it to cause hallucinations to contact spirits. Datura fruits were sacrificed to deities.

In the Middle Ages, Chinese doctors treated various ailments with Datura. And the Indians, with the help of henbane wine, plunged into ecstasy. In the countries of Europe, there was once a legend that sorcerers could prepare an ointment based on dope grass that allowed them to fly.

Name

Datura (lat. Dature) or dope is poisonous, herbaceous plants and is included in the nightshade family along with potatoes and tomatoes.

Description

Datura flower is a spreading shrub with spectacular tubular flowers with an extension at the end. A description with a photo will give a complete picture.

The height of the perennial reaches 1.5 m. In frosty winters, it is grown as an annual. Datura has a thick, erect stem with a hollow structure. Sometimes painted at the base in a red-violet color. The first, central shoot bifurcates at a height of about 30 cm. A conical bud grows in a fork. It grows and opens with a funnel up to 20 cm in diameter.

Large, fragrant flowers resemble a lily with five petals. White or purple flowers located in the convolutions of the stem singly. Next flowers will appear in 1-2 weeks. The bush will be completely covered with flowers closer to autumn, when several flowers will bloom every night. Hybrid forms of Datura bloom in purple, yellow, lilac, cream, purple flowers. The buds open with the onset of evening and bloom for only one night. At the peak of flowering, the opened flowers fill the night air with an exotic fragrance.

Datura fruits are ovoid capsules with small spines. Internal structure boxes are divided into 4 sections. Each fruit contains about 800 seeds. Rounded grains of black color are compressed, irregularly reniform. They have increased endurance and remain viable for decades.

Flowering begins in July and lasts until the end of September, when frosts begin. The fruits ripen in September-October.

The branched rhizome of the rod type is quite long and has a white color.

The arrangement of large, serrated leaves on long petioles is alternate. The size and shape of the leaves depends on the location. In the basal part they are narrower and longer, planted on a short petiole. The upper surface of the leaf is velvety, dark green in color, the underside of the leaf is a tone lighter.

Among the people, the flower is known by several names: crazy grass, henbane, angel's pipe, dope grass, moon flower. Datura settles in small groups in wastelands, along roads and along the edges of vegetable gardens.

Kinds

In biology, there are 13 types of dope, and each of them is poisonous. The concentration of toxic substances is related to the season and place of growth. There are ordinary, terry and semi-double types. Distribution on the European continent received:

Breeding on the site

During the flowering period, dope looks very attractive. Certain varieties of dope are planted by gardeners in garden plots with decorative purpose, especially since the plant is unpretentious in care. And flowering is accompanied by the spread of a pleasant aroma with tropical notes, overlapping other smells in the garden.

For full growth and abundant flowering the flower needs a lot of sunlight, regular watering and loose soil. In the shade, the plant grows weakly and looks unattractive. The need for moisture is explained by increased evaporation through large sheet plates. From the lack of water, the leaves and buds fall off the flower. The soil should be nutritious, saturated with organic matter. Acidic soils are not suitable for growing.

During the season, feeding is carried out every week, alternating mineral composition and organics. Flowering is stimulated by hard water, for example, milk of lime. Unopened tubes of flowers testify to the lack of nutrition and moisture.

The bushes are transplanted into pots for the winter and placed in a non-residential, bright room with a temperature not higher than + 15 °, otherwise the plant will stretch. Rarely watered. After wintering, when some of the leaves fall off, pruning is done.

reproduction

For propagation, seeds are most often used. In the spring they are soaked in hot water 0.5-1 hour. Then only specimens that have settled to the bottom are placed in containers with earth. Germination conditions are dark cover and temperature 10-12°C. Shoots will appear in 15-30 days. Then they are already contained at t=25°. Closer to summer last days May, seedlings 15 cm high are planted on the site.

You can use the cutting method. Used for rooting warm water or nutritious, moist substrate. Select cuttings with 2-3 knots. Cut them off just below the knot. A film bag and a warm place will help speed up rooting. Young leaves will appear in 10 days.

Landings on the site are freely placed, leaving about 1 m between the bushes. Young plants throw flowers in the first year.

medical application

Doctors have learned to use the healing properties of dope grass Ancient Greece. Avicenna characterized the plant as an excellent drug. Hyoscyamine contained in henbane helps to reduce the secretion of sweat and salivary glands, reduces the production of bile and stimulates the activity of the heart muscle.

The composition of henbane revealed tannins, alkaloids, carotene, oils, trace elements and fats. The content of alkaloids in different parts is different. Most of them are concentrated in foliage and stems.

In pharmacology, the production of drugs with datura, intended for the treatment of:

1. Bronchitis and asthma
2. Ulcers of the stomach and duodenum
3. cholecystitis and colitis
4. Tachycardia
5. Neuralgia and mental disorders
6. Rheumatism

Decoctions are used for rinsing rubbing and enemas. Oil infusion is useful for constipation as an internal remedy. Powdered leaves are mixed into cigarettes for asthmatics.

In veterinary medicine, henbane relieves convulsions in cattle, promotes the growth of the fat layer in pigs.

When treating dope, it is important to remember the dosage and consult a doctor so as not to harm your health. When self-harvesting medicinal raw materials from Datura, several rules are required:

• The collection is carried out in warm and sunny weather after 10 am.
• Be sure to use gloves and do not touch the plant with your hands.
• Do not dry indoors or in the oven.

Raw materials are sorted into leaves, flowers and seeds. Use separately and store in a closed container. Shelf life - 2 years.

Harmful effect

Datura is poisonous and should be handled with care. Grass is clearly contraindicated in people with glaucoma. They are even forbidden to be near the landings. Should not be taken during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It happens that young children are attracted to boxes of dope grass. They open them, and the seeds are pushed into the mouth, which causes poisoning.

Toxic substances begin to act on the body quickly. Signs of poisoning are blue lips and mouth, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, and impaired speech. The temperature rises and swelling of the face appears. In severe cases, convulsions and hallucinations are observed. In the absence of help, the respiratory system is blocked and the death of a person is possible.

Long-term use of drugs with dope, in addition to the therapeutic effect, leads to mental disorders.

Datura on site

Datura is used in landscape design in single and group plantings. It looks spectacular in the background of mixborders. Spreading bushes with prominent flowers will decorate the flower garden and a source of pleasant smell.
Indian view from bright flowers Suitable for pot and container growing.

Decaying plants serve as small fences and successfully fill empty spaces after perennials that bloom in early spring. If you install an additional support, then the dope will pull itself up to the level of the gaze.

See also video

Thin smooth pipes of erect forked-branched stems dope ordinary, growing up to half a meter, from June to August they are decorated in their forks with large white funnel-shaped flowers. In July-September, the flowers turn into egg-like erect capsules of fruits with seeds inside. The Datura genus, which is part of the nightshade family, has 13 species, capturing a vast geographic range from the Baltic to the African tropics. Datura common, along with Datura purple, Indian and harmless, belongs to the most common species.

The chemical composition of dope

All parts of Datura to a significant, albeit varying, degree consist of alkaloids - atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine. In stems, their amount is approximately 0.15%, and in seeds - 0.22%. They are natural cholinergic receptor blockers that affect the success of our muscles. In addition to alkaloids, dope contains tannins, carotene and essential oils, thanks to the combination of which the plant has all its contradictory properties. Datura seeds contain a lot (up to 25%) of fatty oil, the undoubted benefits of which for people are many times greater than possible harm, which can be completely avoided.

What is useful dope for the human body

Despite the alarming sounding name, dope ordinary has a wide range of medicinal properties that have a beneficial effect on the human body, primarily antiseptic and soothing. As an antispasmodic, it is good for use against symptoms of respiratory diseases (bronchitis, asthma, etc.), as well as vital diseases. internal organs(stomach and intestines, liver), saving people, in particular, from spastic constipation and colitis.

Cardiac bradycardia and a number of other diseases of the blood vessels are effectively treated with Datura due to the properties of its drugs that depress the parasympathetic nervous system. There are cases of successful use of the herbal mixture of dope with adonis to alleviate the situation of people suffering from stomach cancer. Dope, possessing undoubted useful properties, has certain contraindications, which should be taken into account both by the patients themselves, and by doctors and healers.

Did you know? The Aztecs used dope not only to treat almost all diseases, but also to spiritually unite people.

The use of dope in modern medicine, plant-based preparations

Modern pharmacology has used centuries of experience, creating a medicinal oil tincture on Datura seeds with a wide range of applications, including potency enhancement.

Did you know? In ancient times, to enhance sexual desire and restore male power, warm wine or olive oil infused with crushed dope seeds was rubbed into the genital area.

In today's pharmacies, Datura oil, made industrial way from its fruits and seeds. The most famous part of its use was the removal of unwanted hair, although in fact it is used to treat both internal and external diseases. Datura leaves are part of various anti-asthma preparations and preparations, and some of its components are ingredients of anti-inflammatory drugs for rheumatism, arthritis and pleurisy. In pharmacies, these funds are dispensed by prescription in powder and tablet forms.

Important! Features of the use made on the basis of dope medicines is a carefully calculated dose, which, of course, must receive the approval of a doctor.

How dope is used in folk medicine (recipes)

Alcohol tincture is ready for use after 15 days of infusion of 85 g of dry dope seeds in 0.5 l of vodka. The technology in this case provides for a darkened room, daily shaking of the container with the drug being prepared, filtering the finished liquid. The course of application lasts 30 days, during which 25 drops of tincture are taken daily on an empty stomach, previously diluted in 0.1 l of water. The tool is prophylactic to prevent strokes and heart attacks and therapeutic to get rid of blood clots. Perhaps the external use of infusion of dope. In this case, 20 g of its dry leaves are poured for an hour with a glass of boiling water. The resulting infusion is mixed with a bucket of warm boiled water intended for a sitz bath, where the patient with rectal prolapse is placed.

Important! Datura tincture is made every time, based on the characteristics of the ingredients and its intended purpose.

For external use for mastitis, mastopathy, bruises, a decoction of dope seeds is also used. They also rinse the mouth and throat, and take it inside to combat inflammatory processes, a teaspoon diluted in half a glass of water. The decoction is effective, in particular, with inflammation of the lymph nodes. The recipe is also simple: one teaspoon of seeds is boiled in 0.2 liters of water for a minute, infused for half an hour and then squeezed.

Datura: how to prepare medicinal raw materials

The main medicinal raw materials are Datura leaves. They are harvested during the flowering period, using dry weather. Less commonly, for medicinal purposes, seeds are used, which are harvested in the fall. Harvesting in both cases is done with gloves, since the natural poisonousness of dope can lead to trouble. The room for drying the collected raw materials should be well ventilated and darkened. The leaves begin to dry even in the open space (in the shade), then transferring them indoors.

Side effects and contraindications to the use of dope

Careless handling of dope ordinary, drugs and preparations from it is fraught with a serious toxic effect.