Genus: Datura
Common name: Jimson weed. Thorn apple. Devil’s trumpet.
Family: Solanaceae (Nightshades – Potato, Tomato, Eggplant, Peppers)
Scattered around the world, growing wild along roadsides, barnyards, and wastelands in warm climates, the beautiful trumpet shaped flowers of the large, bushy Stramonium plant bely the plant’s toxicity. The flowers are folded and twisted closed during the day, and at dusk begin to untwist and open. Their strong fragrance attracts nocturnal moths. By mid-morning, the flowers twist closed again. After blooming, the flowers are replaced by spiny seed capsules that contain dozens of black seeds. All parts of the plant are poisonous but have historically been used medicinally, ritually, and recreationally. The common name, Jimson weed, is a contraction of the older name, Jamestown weed, which is a reference to a potentially fatal, albeit humorous, incident that happened in 1676 in Jamestown, Virginia. Unaware of the plant’s hallucinogenic properties, British soldiers stationed in Jamestown were served salad mixed with stramonium leaves and as a result the men acted bizarrely for several days. Accidental and non-accidental poisonings and deaths have been recorded after ingestion of Stramonium roots, leaves, or seeds or from smoking its leaves.
Like other members of the Solanaceae family, Stramonium is used homeopathically for people stuck in some degree of delirium or fear, especially of darkness or danger. The sympathetic nervous system is on full alert, and the body is ready to “fight or flight.” The primary theme of this remedy is violence or fear of violence. There are intense fears and sudden impulsive rages. A child needing Stramonium can be hyperactive, have febrile convulsions, night terrors, or behavior disorders. Adults with similar symptoms may have been diagnosed with PSTD. But despite the internal suffering due to underlying, unremitting fear, there can be a sensitive sweetness and a strong attachment to loved ones. Homeopathic Stramonium can ease this suffering and dissipate imbalance.
Keynotes:
- Violent behavior, mania, sudden rages, temper problems
- Fear of death, of the dark, of dogs, of water, of ghosts
- Fear of being alone, strong desire for company especially at night
- Fear of being attacked, fear of violence, impression of danger
- Convulsions, violent delirium, neurological disorders from head injury, fright, or vaccination
- Nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking
- Ailments from fright
- Post traumatic stress syndrome
- Talkative, loquacious, incoherent, incomprehensible, stammering OR refuses to talk
- Behavior disorders, hyperactivity, ADHD/ADD, oppositional defiant disorder
- Clumsiness, falling, incoordination
- Painlessness of complaints that are usually painful
- Disturbances of vision, dilated pupils, crossed-eyes, hallucinations, seeing colors/flashes/sparks
- Chorea, grimaces, tics, twitches, grinding teeth, jerking of muscles
- Asthma, bronchitis, chronic cough
- Touching of the genitals, history of sexual abuse, promiscuity
- Aversion to water and/or milk
Information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by a physician. If you desire or need such advice, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.