How to Use Datura

Datura, commonly known as jimson weed, grows in the deserts of the Southwest and several other species are found in most places in the world, except for Arctic regions and other colder regions, according to New Mexico State University. The datura plant is very poisonous, but it can sometimes be used for medicinal purposes under expert supervision. You should always consult a medical or natural health expert, skilled in administering datura, before using it. Datura has been used as a sedative to treat several problems, including asthma, aches, arthritis and gastrointestinal problems. Datura may be used as an antibiotic, antispasmodic, anodyne and narcotic.

Instructions

• 1

  Datura plant can help to clear the throat. Those who use datura can obtain dried leaves from a medical or health professional trained in handling this plant. Patients can smoke the leaves to relax the bronchial muscles in the throat. Datura contains three active compounds-hyoscine, atropine, hyoscyamine, meteloidine and apohyoscine, which affect the nervous system. Be very careful with plant and make sure you have consulted professionals before using it since it has active compounds that are poisonous if you overdose on them.

• 2

  Some people use datura to help with insomnia. Those suffering from this sleep disorder have lined their bed with the datura leaves. Chemicals in the crushed leaves are inhaled by the non-sleeper, encouraging the person to fall asleep.

• 3

  Datura may help gastrointestinal problems when drinking it in a tea. To make the tea, fresh datura leaves are put in a cup of hot water. Then the leaves are wrapped in cheesecloth and hot water is poured over the leaves. The "bag" is left in the hot water for a few minutes.

• 4

  Datura has been known to treat arthritis and rheumatism. A poultice of freshly ground datura leaves, flowers and seeds is made for this purpose. It is then wrapped around the painful area.