By Kenny Berman (This article first appeared in the American Free Journal Weekly Aug. 20th-29th 2009 Vol. 20 No. 34)
-Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade family)
-Genus: Datureae
-Species: Datura inoxia (Often mistakenly labeled Datura meteloides)
-Common names: Mexican Thorn Apple, Toloache (Aztec), kiksawva’al (Cahuilla), Devil’s weed (Carlos Casteneda)
-Description: A medium sized shrub-like annual plant with thick, lush, soft, deep green leaves. The blooms are large white trumpet shaped flowers that are often violet hued on their outer edge. The seeds are contained in walnut-sized green pods that are covered in thorns, hence the name “Thorn apple”.
-Habitat and distribution: Found in hi and low desert, chaparral and savanna of the S.W. United States, Mexico and Guatemala.
-Legality: Datura and all the other plants in the Solanceae family including their active constitutes are 100% legal to possess, process, cultivate and consume in any manner.
-Active alkaloids/toxins: Scopolamine and Atropine.
– Toxicology classification: Deliriant ; These alkaloids are NOT true hallucinogens. They are classified as deliriants because of the nature of their effects.
-Effects: Disorientation, delusions, incoherent speech, “other worldly” hallucinations, fearful anxiety, extreme dry mouth/ throat and blurred vision. Overdose can result in cardiac and respiratory failure- hence death. ( ..Sound like fun!)
Traditional applications: Sorcery, diagnosis, divination, psychic protection and aphrodisiac
-Parts of plant applied: Leaves, roots, flowers and seeds.
– Preparation and dosage: Dried leaves can be smoked as an aphrodisiac. 2-4 leaves have been suggested. All the parts of the plant can vary in alkaloid concentrations depending on environmental conditions and season. Preparations are therefore very difficult to replicate. Many people have died trying to replicate potions that have been used by Sorcerers of the past.
Authors comment: The amount of the active component necessary to achieve a true shamanic experience from Datura is very close to a lethal dosage. Therefore I would NOT recommend that anyone experiments with preparations or concentrates of ANY PART of this plant.
More people DIE using plants from the Solanaceae family then any other sacred plant medicines. Here in Joshua Tree alone there have been several accidental deaths in the past (of naïve youths) due to an overdose of the Datura. It is interesting that one criteria the government has for Scheduling a plant as illegal is how many deaths are associated with it. Marijuana and mushrooms are still illegal and Schedule 1 (Federal status) with “0” deaths associated to them. Datura is 100% legal and kids are still dying every year…..food for thought.