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| Latin Name |
English Name |
Sanskrit Name |
Hindi Name |
| Datura metel
Linn. (Solanaceae) / D. fastuosa Linn. /
D. alba (Ness) |
Thorn Apple |
Dhatura |
Dhatur |
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| History |
 The
Sanskrit name 'Dhatura' includes all the species and varieties of
the plant, but sometimes specifies whether the black or white variety
is to be used. Hindu physicians frequently prescribed the drug in
fever with catarrhal symptoms, mixed with other ingredients. Physicians
of southern India recommended smoking the leaves in cases of spasmodic
asthma. The juice was given with curd to treat intermittent fevers.
It was frequently added to 'Kaita,' an intoxicating drink prepared
from the fruit of Feronic elephantum, and consumed by the lower
classes during the Holi festival. Several species of Datura are mentioned
under the name of 'Jouz-el-mathil' in Arabian literature. The author
of 'Makhzan' recommended that preference be given to the purple variety,
which is more powerful than the white and was used for local applications
to relieve the pain of tumours, piles, etc. Roasted leaves applied
to the eyes gave relief in opthalmia. Corolla with wine formed a tincture
used as an anesthetic in China. |
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| Habitat |
It grows in waste
lands, along the roadside and railway lines, and in scrub-jungles
throughout the tropical parts of India.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
It is a spreading
herb sometimes becoming shrubby. Leaves are ovate-lanceolate or broadly
ovate, acute or acuminate, unequal at the base and often cordate,
entire or dentate, sub-glabrous or with greyish tomentum, generally
glandular in a long petiole of up to 10 cm in length. Flowers often
double or triple. Calyx is inflated towards the middle, persistent
and reflexes in fruit. Corolla is about twice as long as the calyx,
white or tinged with green, pubescent outside and with the 10 toothed
limb. Capsule is globose, tuberculate or muricate, borne on a short
thick peduncle, which, unlike that of D.stramonium, is never
erect but nodding. It dehisces irregularly exposing a mass of closely
packed, light brown, flat seeds which nearly fill the interior.
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| Principal
Constituents |
Scopolamine (Hyoscine)
is the major active constituent of the plant.
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| Pharmacology |
Scopolamine has
analgesic and sedative actions and produce amnesia1. It
also has anti-inflammatory property.
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| Toxicology |
The whole plant
is considered poisonous. The alkaloid Hyoscine in large doses causes
delirium, coma, and even death2 .
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| Indications |
It is applied to
swellings, tumors and rheumatic pains. Its decoction is used for eye
diseases. The flowers are used in asthma.
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| Product
Range |
Muscle & Joint
Rub.
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| References |
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- Harbone, J.B., et. al.
(Eds.), 1999, Phytochemical Dictionary, Taylor and Francis, London.
- Yussuf, Int. J. Pharmacogn., 1991,
29, 252.
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