It is a highly toxic plant but was used by knowledgeable native peoples for medicinal purposes and for shamanistic ritual.

Jimson Weed Jimson weed is one of the over 3,000 members of the Solanaceae family many of which contain the alkaloids atropine (dl-hyoscamine) and scopolamine (hyoscine).

The plant family Solanaceae is one of the largest families in the plant kingdom. That makes it dangerous. Jimsonweed, sometimes called “locoweed,” is a scary drug related to the deadly nightshade. Jimson weed is a plant. The problem with using it, or abusing it, is that a toxic dose is only a little higher than a medicinal dose. As a matter of fact, it has its references in Homer’s Odyssey, and Shakespeare plays.

Despite serious safety concerns, jimson weed is used to treat asthma, cough, flu (influenza), swine flu, and nerve diseases. Datura inoxia Mill. Jimson Weed, Datura, Thorn Apple, Toloache. Solanaceae (Nightshade Family) Jimson weed is an upright or sprawling herbaceous perennial with large, showy flowers that open at night. Jimsonweed, (Datura stramonium), also called thorn apple or devil’s snare, annual herbaceous plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae).

Weed of the Month: Jimson Weed By Saara Nafici | September 20, 2016 Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) is a beautiful, witchy plant that begins blooming in late summer and continues through the first frost.A member of the notorious nightshade family, its more famous cousins include tomato, eggplant, pepper, tobacco, and potato. Possibly native to Central America, the plant is considered an invasive species throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. They called the plant “Moip.” It has a heavy root, which when soaked, ground and boiled, the tea renders the drinker unconscious. The origin of the name Jimson weed has a painfully interesting story. Some people use it as a recreational drug to cause hallucinations and a heightened sense of well-being (euphoria).

Alternative Titles: Datura stramonium, Jimson weed, devil’s snare, thorn apple. They made a tea of the plant to wash a horse with it when he tried to stray. Jimson weed or Datura Stramonium is so famous throughout the history for its toxicity and mind-altering properties. Used for asthma, pain relief, and anesthesia in the past, the jimson’s leaves and seeds are also a powerful hallucinogen. Another variety: Another plant (Datura meteloides) was known as Jimson Weed by the Native Americans. The leaves and seeds are used to make medicine.