Hump Day Herbs – Datura

March 2nd, 2011 by sivodd

DATURA

Botanical Name: Datura Stranmonium

Folk Names: Devil’s Apple, Devil’s cucumber, Devil’s Trumpet, Ghost Flower, Jimsonweed, Love-Will, Mad Apple, Madherb, Manicon, Moonflower, Stinkweed, Sorcerer’s Herb, Thornapple, Toloache, Witche’s Thimble, Yerba del Diablo (Spanish herb of the Devil)

Datura is an annual herb from the Solanaceae (nightshade) family. It is believed to be native to Asia or South America, origins are unknown. It grows to a height of 2-4 feet, reaching a diameter of 4-6 feet.

Native Americans used Datura to induce trance-like states and enlightenment, often this was served as a right of passage. In l676 in the Jamestown Colony, a group of English soldiers believed the leaves of the Datura to be suitable pot greens. They boiled and and consumed  it, the effects lasted for eleven days.

Deities: Hades, Hecate, Saturn

Element: Water (Fidelity, Friendships, Healing, Love, Meditation, Prophetic Dreams, Purification, Sleep).

Gender: Feminine.

Planet: Saturn (Endings, Exorcisms, Longevity, Visions, ).

Powers: Hex-Breaking, Protection, sleep

Medicinal Uses: Datura has been used as an alternative medicine in treatments for various diseases. Seeds are the most active medicinal part of the plant. Flowering tops, Leaves and  seeds have anti-asthmatic, anodyne, hypnotic, hallucinogenic, mydriatic and narcotic properties.

Magical Uses: Datura can be used in amulets for insomnia, breaking spells and to ward off evil spirits. Sprinkle it around the house for protection. (If placed in incense, it may cause nausea and does not have a pleasant smell)

Ritual Uses: Datura was used by Shamans to transcend the physical world and embark on magical flights to the spirit world. The entire plant was used for divination, prophecy, initiation ceremonies, ritual intoxication, diagnosis and healing.

Other Uses: It is said to protect neighboring plants from insects. To cure dandruff and falling hair, the fruits of the juice are applied to the scalp.

Health Hazards: Poison!.  Datura is considered toxic.  It  should only be used under Physician’s supervision. (handling it may cause skin irritation)

References:

Note: Consult with a Physician or certified herbologist if you are seeking medical remedies. The information is not intended as medical advice. PagansWorld.org is not liable for the misuse of the herb listed above.

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all and have a great day!

Lisa

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5 Responses to “Hump Day Herbs – Datura”

  1. nThere are many different brands of incense that come in various aromas and strengths. Common aromas include strawberry, blueberry, mango, exotic blend and many more. These varying brands and blends can be found in your local head shop and online. Expect to pay retail prices at stores while better deals can be found online.n

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  3. Firstly,

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  4. Use of herbal incense is fostering enormously recently. These incense comes in different aroma. Datura is very benevolent herb. Information shared in above blog about it is authentic and revealing.

  5. Robert Schrock says:

    Actually this plant Datura stramonium may kill you just like
    that.InHaiti, this plant (or a variant) is called “concombre-zombi” ; as kids we were
    warned to stay away.Here you can find the information that you may be curious to learn about
    this plant http://www.ayurtimes.com/datura/