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Datura stramonium
Toxic🐾Gemeiner Stechapfel · (Datura stramonium)
Nightshade family (Solanaceae)
Description
The spiky, egg-shaped seed capsules that give jimsonweed its name split open in late summer to release numerous black seeds — this member of the nightshade family favours nutrient-rich waste ground and disturbed soil. Every part, especially the seeds, contains tropane alkaloids such as atropine and scopolamine at highly variable concentrations. Historically the leaves were applied externally for nerve pain and smoked for respiratory complaints; the German Commission E, however, gave the drug a negative assessment, finding no acceptable benefit-risk balance. Jimsonweed ranks among Europe's most dangerous wild plants: even a fraction of a gram of plant material can trigger an anticholinergic poisoning syndrome with dry mouth, dilated pupils, hallucinations and seizures. Teenagers seeking intoxication are repeatedly among those who suffer severe, sometimes fatal poisonings. Any use of this plant is strongly discouraged.
🌿 Risk of confusion — read before wild-harvesting!
Frequent fatal poisonings among teenagers seeking intoxication.
External use only!
This plant must NOT be taken internally. Use only as compress, salve, or bath.
CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy
Tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine) cross the placental barrier and can cause fetal tachycardia, CNS damage and congenital malformations. Any exposure during pregnancy is strictly contraindicated.
CONTRAINDICATED during breastfeeding
Atropine and scopolamine pass into breast milk and can trigger anticholinergic effects in the infant (tachycardia, dry mouth, fever, sedation). Breastfeeding: strictly contraindicated.
CONTRAINDICATED for children
Children are extremely sensitive to tropane alkaloids. A few seeds can be fatal. Frequent abuse by adolescents ('daturism') with numerous deaths. No use in children and adolescents under 18 years — not even in low homeopathic potencies below D6.
Critical drug interactions with:
Anticholinergika (Tiotropium, Ipratropium, Oxybutynin, Darifenacin, Scopolamin-Pflaster) · Anticholinergika (Tiotropium, Ipratropium, Oxybutynin, Darifenacin, Scopolamin-Pflaster)
Folk medicinal external use of jimsonweed leaves as compress or poultice for neuralgia, boils, abscesses and painful wounds. John Gerard (1597) reported the juice 'cureth all inflammations whatsoever, all manner of burnings and scaldings'. Local anticholinergic effect; today unsuitable due to skin absorption and systemic toxicity.
Preparation & dosage
Medieval use in 'witch ointments' (flying ointments): Datura stramonium or related species (D. metel, D. inoxia) were combined with henbane, belladonna and mandrake. Absorption of tropane alkaloids through mucous membranes triggered anticholinergic delirium with flight hallucinations. Pure historical cultural phenomenon — today to be strictly rejected due to toxicity.
Preparation & dosage
Historical documentation only — do NOT use
These internal applications are historically documented. This plant is highly toxic — self-treatment can cause severe poisoning or death. For documentation only, explicitly NOT a recommendation.
Historical use of jimsonweed leaves as asthma cigarettes ('stramonium cigarettes') in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Following the report by British physician James Anderson (1802) from India, inhalation of burning stramonium preparations was added to the British and American pharmacopoeias. Anticholinergic bronchodilation by atropine/scopolamine as the mechanism. Since recognition of asthma as allergic inflammation and the introduction of ephedrine, obsolete — today strictly rejected due to toxicity and hallucinogenic effects.
Preparation & dosage
Historical pharmaceutical use of stramonium extracts in early Parkinson's therapy. The anticholinergic action of the tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine) was used to alleviate tremor and muscle rigidity — standard before the introduction of L-dopa. Today replaced by synthetic anticholinergics (biperiden, trihexyphenidyl).
Preparation & dosage
Ethnobotanical and shamanic use in pre-Columbian cultures of the Americas (Aztec, Navajo, Cherokee, Luiseño, Algonquian) and in the Indian Tantra tradition. Jimsonweed seeds were used in sacred ceremonies as a hallucinogen — effect through high tropane alkaloid concentration (≈ 0.1 mg atropine per seed). Today not suitable for rituals or consumption — frequent fatal poisonings among teenagers seeking a 'trip'.
Preparation & dosage
Homeopathic use of Datura stramonium (D6–C30) for childhood anxiety, night terrors, convulsions with hallucinations and rabies-like symptom pictures (hydrophobia). Pure homeopathic dilution levels (from C12) contain no pharmacologically active alkaloid amounts. Widespread in classical homeopathy as a constitutional remedy.
Preparation & dosage
⚠ External use only
VERY TOXIC — ENTIRE PLANT, SEEDS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS. Datura stramonium contains tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine) in all plant parts. Seeds can contain up to 2710 mg atropine and 660 mg scopolamine per kg (≈ 0.1 mg atropine per seed). Lethal adult dose: > 10 mg atropine or > 2–4 mg scopolamine. Severe poisoning possible from as little as 0.3 g plant material. Concentration varies by factor of 20 between individual plants. Anticholinergic syndrome symptoms: dry mouth, tachycardia, dilated pupils (mydriasis), photophobia, skin flushing, hyperthermia, urinary retention, vivid hallucinations, delirium, bizarre behaviour, seizures, coma — poisonings can last 24–48 h, in individual cases up to 2 weeks. The German Commission E negatively assessed the drug. Frequent fatal poisonings among teenagers seeking intoxication. In case of suspicion: IMMEDIATELY call emergency services and poison control. No self-medication. No lay use.
Tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine) cross the placental barrier and can cause fetal tachycardia, CNS damage and congenital malformations. Any exposure during pregnancy is strictly contraindicated.
Atropine and scopolamine pass into breast milk and can trigger anticholinergic effects in the infant (tachycardia, dry mouth, fever, sedation). Breastfeeding: strictly contraindicated.
Children are extremely sensitive to tropane alkaloids. A few seeds can be fatal. Frequent abuse by adolescents ('daturism') with numerous deaths. No use in children and adolescents under 18 years — not even in low homeopathic potencies below D6.
Drug interactions
Anticholinergika (Tiotropium, Ipratropium, Oxybutynin, Darifenacin, Scopolamin-Pflaster)
Additive anticholinergic effect: enhanced dry mouth, urinary retention, tachycardia, cognitive impairment up to central anticholinergic syndrome with delirium and seizures.
Trizyklische Antidepressiva (Amitriptylin, Imipramin, Clomipramin)
Tricyclics have inherent anticholinergic properties; combination with Datura alkaloids substantially potentiates anticholinergic side effects.
MAO-Hemmer (Phenelzin, Tranylcypromin, Moclobemid, Selegilin)
MAO inhibitors may reduce the breakdown of tropane alkaloids and potentiate their toxicity; central nervous system excitation with hallucinations and hypertensive crisis possible.
Antihistaminika der 1. Generation (Diphenhydramin, Promethazin, Hydroxyzin)
First-generation H1 antihistamines have anticholinergic properties; additive effects when combined with Datura alkaloids — risk of sedation, confusion, falls.
Neuroleptika mit anticholinerger Komponente (Clozapin, Olanzapin, Chlorpromazin)
Inherent anticholinergic action of neuroleptics adds to tropane alkaloids; risk of hyperthermia, ileus, cognitive deterioration.
Anticholinergika (Tiotropium, Ipratropium, Oxybutynin, Darifenacin, Scopolamin-Pflaster)
Additive anticholinergic effect: enhanced dry mouth, urinary retention, tachycardia, cognitive impairment up to central anticholinergic syndrome with delirium and seizures.
Trizyklische Antidepressiva (Amitriptylin, Imipramin, Clomipramin)
Tricyclics have inherent anticholinergic properties; combination with Datura alkaloids substantially potentiates anticholinergic side effects.
MAO-Hemmer (Phenelzin, Tranylcypromin, Moclobemid, Selegilin)
MAO inhibitors may reduce the breakdown of tropane alkaloids and potentiate their toxicity; central nervous system excitation with hallucinations and hypertensive crisis possible.
Antihistaminika der 1. Generation (Diphenhydramin, Promethazin, Hydroxyzin)
First-generation H1 antihistamines have anticholinergic properties; additive effects when combined with Datura alkaloids — risk of sedation, confusion, falls.
Neuroleptika mit anticholinerger Komponente (Clozapin, Olanzapin, Chlorpromazin)
Inherent anticholinergic action of neuroleptics adds to tropane alkaloids; risk of hyperthermia, ileus, cognitive deterioration.
Contraindications
- Narrow-angle glaucoma — atropine/scopolamine dangerously increase intraocular pressure
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia with voiding disorders — anticholinergic urinary retention
- Tachyarrhythmias and atrial fibrillation — tropane alkaloids further increase heart rate
- Mechanical ileus, megacolon, pyloric stenosis — intestinal paralysis through anticholinergics
- Myasthenia gravis — antagonization of neuromuscular transmission
- Dementia and pre-existing cognitive impairment — risk of central anticholinergic syndrome
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and adolescents (see above)
- Narrow-angle glaucoma — atropine/scopolamine dangerously increase intraocular pressure
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia with voiding disorders — anticholinergic urinary retention
- Tachyarrhythmias and atrial fibrillation — tropane alkaloids further increase heart rate
- Mechanical ileus, megacolon, pyloric stenosis — intestinal paralysis through anticholinergics
- Myasthenia gravis — antagonization of neuromuscular transmission
- Dementia and pre-existing cognitive impairment — risk of central anticholinergic syndrome
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and adolescents (see above)
Harvested part: whole plant, especially seeds
- Time of day:
- Morning hours after dew has dried during flowering — highest alkaloid content before fruit ripening
- Drying:
- Dry quickly at 40–50 °C in the shade; slow drying promotes racemization of hyoscyamine to atropine. PROTECTIVE GLOVES MANDATORY — tropane alkaloids are absorbed through the skin. Harvest exclusively by trained botanists or pharmacists.
- Time of day:
- Daytime as spiny capsules ripen — harvest capsules just before they split open
- Drying:
- Dry capsules at 35–45 °C; seeds contain up to 2710 mg atropine and 660 mg scopolamine per kg. EXCLUSIVELY for pharmaceutical processing — no lay use, frequent fatal poisonings.
- Time of day:
- Morning hours after dew has dried during flowering — highest alkaloid content before fruit ripening
- Drying:
- Dry quickly at 40–50 °C in the shade; slow drying promotes racemization of hyoscyamine to atropine. PROTECTIVE GLOVES MANDATORY — tropane alkaloids are absorbed through the skin. Harvest exclusively by trained botanists or pharmacists.
- Time of day:
- Daytime as spiny capsules ripen — harvest capsules just before they split open
- Drying:
- Dry capsules at 35–45 °C; seeds contain up to 2710 mg atropine and 660 mg scopolamine per kg. EXCLUSIVELY for pharmaceutical processing — no lay use, frequent fatal poisonings.
- Atropine (dl-Hyoscyamine)AlkaloidContent: 0.1-0.5 % (Samen bis 0,27 %)
Main alkaloid of Datura stramonium; racemic mixture of l- and d-hyoscyamine (formed by racemization during drying); competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1–M5); mydriatic, antispasmodic, antisecretory. Concentration varies by a factor of 20 between individual plants.
- Scopolamine (Hyoscine)AlkaloidContent: 0.05-0.3 % (Samen bis 0,066 %)
Epoxide derivative of tropane; more sedating and hallucinogenic than atropine; efficiently crosses the blood-brain barrier; antiemetic. In young plants the scopolamine:atropine ratio is ≈ 3:1; after flowering the ratio reverses.
- l-HyoscyamineAlkaloidContent: 0.1-0.4 %
Biologically active enantiomer; dominant in the fresh plant prior to atropine (the racemate); approximately 2× more potent than atropine at the M receptor; partially racemizes to atropine during drying and extraction.
- Apoatropine (Atropamine)AlkaloidContent: < 0.05 % (Stängel, Blätter)
Dehydration product of atropine; weaker anticholinergic activity; formed mainly during heating or storage of raw material.
- MeteloidineAlkaloidContent: Spuren
Tropane alkaloid with three hydroxyl groups; characteristic of several Datura species; minor pharmacological importance, taxonomic marker.
- TropineAlkaloidContent: Spuren (Blüten, Samen)
Amino alcohol core structure of the tropane alkaloids; itself barely pharmacologically active; biosynthetic precursor of hyoscyamine.
- MethylecgonineAlkaloidContent: Spuren (Wurzel)
Minor accompanying alkaloid related to cocaine biosynthesis intermediates; identified in root extracts of D. stramonium; without practical significance.
- Flavonoide (Quercetin- und Kaempferol-Glykoside)FlavonoidContent: nicht quantifiziert
Antioxidant accompanying substances; without primary role in toxicology; contributing to radical-scavenging activity of plant extracts.
- Withanolide (Steroidlactone)OtherContent: Spuren
Steroidal lactones of the withanolide series; detected in Datura species; immunomodulatory and cytotoxic effects in cell cultures; no practical therapeutic relevance.
- Atropine (dl-Hyoscyamine)AlkaloidContent: 0.1-0.5 % (Samen bis 0,27 %)
Main alkaloid of Datura stramonium; racemic mixture of l- and d-hyoscyamine (formed by racemization during drying); competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1–M5); mydriatic, antispasmodic, antisecretory. Concentration varies by a factor of 20 between individual plants.
- Scopolamine (Hyoscine)AlkaloidContent: 0.05-0.3 % (Samen bis 0,066 %)
Epoxide derivative of tropane; more sedating and hallucinogenic than atropine; efficiently crosses the blood-brain barrier; antiemetic. In young plants the scopolamine:atropine ratio is ≈ 3:1; after flowering the ratio reverses.
- l-HyoscyamineAlkaloidContent: 0.1-0.4 %
Biologically active enantiomer; dominant in the fresh plant prior to atropine (the racemate); approximately 2× more potent than atropine at the M receptor; partially racemizes to atropine during drying and extraction.
- Apoatropine (Atropamine)AlkaloidContent: < 0.05 % (Stängel, Blätter)
Dehydration product of atropine; weaker anticholinergic activity; formed mainly during heating or storage of raw material.
- MeteloidineAlkaloidContent: Spuren
Tropane alkaloid with three hydroxyl groups; characteristic of several Datura species; minor pharmacological importance, taxonomic marker.
- TropineAlkaloidContent: Spuren (Blüten, Samen)
Amino alcohol core structure of the tropane alkaloids; itself barely pharmacologically active; biosynthetic precursor of hyoscyamine.
- MethylecgonineAlkaloidContent: Spuren (Wurzel)
Minor accompanying alkaloid related to cocaine biosynthesis intermediates; identified in root extracts of D. stramonium; without practical significance.
- Flavonoide (Quercetin- und Kaempferol-Glykoside)FlavonoidContent: nicht quantifiziert
Antioxidant accompanying substances; without primary role in toxicology; contributing to radical-scavenging activity of plant extracts.
- Withanolide (Steroidlactone)OtherContent: Spuren
Steroidal lactones of the withanolide series; detected in Datura species; immunomodulatory and cytotoxic effects in cell cultures; no practical therapeutic relevance.
- [4]MonographTropane alkaloids (hyoscyamine, scopolamine and atropine) from genus Datura: extractions, contents, syntheses and effects(accessed: 2026-05-26)
- [5]MonographPhytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Datura Species — A Review(accessed: 2026-05-26)
- [6]MonographPharmacological properties of Datura stramonium L. as a potential medicinal tree: An overview(accessed: 2026-05-26)
- [7]MonographCliniTox Giftpflanzen — Datura stramonium L.: sehr stark giftig +++ (Institut für Veterinärpharmakologie und -toxikologie, Universität Zürich)(accessed: 2026-08-10)
- [3]BookPlants for a Future — Datura stramonium(accessed: 2026-05-26)
- [1]WikipediaDatura stramonium — Wikipedia (EN)(accessed: 2026-05-26)
- [2]WikidataDatura stramonium — Wikidata Q156057(accessed: 2026-05-26)