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Description:
Datura stramonium, also called Jimson Weed, Gypsum Weed, Stink Weed, Loco Weed. It contains tropane alkaloids that are sometimes used as hallucinogen. Datura is woody-stalked, leafy herb growing up to 2 meters. It produces spiney seed pods and large white or purple trumpet shaped flowers that face upward. Most parts of the plant contain atropine, scopolmine, and hyoscyamine. The flowers open and close at irregular intervals during the evening, earning the plant the nickname Moonflower.
Datura has always been called "dark" and "evil" by those who would squelch indigenous practices of direct communication with divine power. Also, tropane rituals are frequently associated with nudity and "paganism", and early Christian sects were quick to point out the association with the "Horned God" of the hunt (by their accounts the evil satan devil). Incidentally, Huichol mythology contains the horned figure.. brother deer tail...who is intimately associated with Datura and Solandra.
Uses:
Datura is frequently used to aid in acquiring dream helper/guardian (often during puberty initiation), divination of illness, locating lost objects, gathering personal power, and various forms of "sorcery" including love magic and poisons. These uses are not unique to Datura or even solanaceous plants and in fact many diverse entheogenic plants find similar uses in varying cultures.
Problems:
Due to extremely high risk of overdose, many deaths and hospitalizations are reported from recreational use.
