Have you ever thought about how the world works harmoniously? This is not about our constant bustle, problems and eternal search for income. Stop for a minute, take a break from what we are doing. Look at what was created not by us, but for us - nature. She is amazingly harmonious. There is nothing superfluous or unnecessary in it; any plant or animal takes its place and is just waiting for our close attention to bring benefit. For example, common datura. Do you think it is harmful, are you trying to clear your garden of a poisonous plant? And you are wrong. The reason for this is lack of knowledge. Let's replenish them.
Description
Datura common (photo below) is difficult to confuse with other plants. He is big, even huge. The bush can grow up to a meter in height. The leaves are beautifully cut. They look powerful, fresh, attractive (for those who eat grass). Only animals will not feast on them. They are repelled by a strange, even disgusting smell. Datura grass's flowers are so magnificent that this plant has attracted the attention of landscape designers. It can be seen in flower beds and lawns. The plant is used as an ornamental. Moreover, it has a fairly long flowering period: almost all summer (depending on climatic conditions) it delights viewers with huge bowls of white flowers. You just need to keep in mind that the plant is poisonous. Flowers can be intoxicating (hence the name) with just their scent. In hot weather, in the absence of wind, it concentrates around the plant. It is not advisable to plant such “decor” in the area near children’s playgrounds, institutions, cafes, and so on. Kids may not realize that they should run away from a cloying aroma. The result is a hospital.
Retreat for parents and “responsible persons”
Probably no one needs to be convinced that kids are interested in everything. Datura grass attracts them with its appearance. Large leaves, magnificent flowers make you want to “explore”. And such an idea is ripening in the heads of not only the smallest “naturalists”. Children up to the age of seven (or even older) do not give up the infantile habit of tasting everything. But if kids, without hiding, put everything in their mouths, then “well-mannered” kids will try to bite the object they like on the sly. Ask them if in doubt. It is clear that in the described plant they can be attracted by fruits and flowers. Datura is dangerous and poisonous. It’s not like trying it - it’s not recommended to even pick up individual parts. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor your children if there is dope grass nearby. Don't take this situation lightly. In addition to its own substances, the plant also absorbs nitrates from the soil. Contact with it can cost the child's health. It’s better to be careful than to “work for a pharmacy” and reproach yourself for lack of foresight.
Datura grass was revered by almost all Indian tribes of the Central and South America. They learned in their own way, taking into account their own beliefs, to use its poisonous properties, so to speak, for good. The Aztecs, for example, chewed leaves to induce trance. This was not done with the aim of getting pleasure from drug intoxication, no. In this way they solved the problems that arose. The Indians believed that in such a state they would be able to lift the veil of secrecy and obtain the necessary information. They usually asked about who stole a certain thing, whether it could be returned, and where it was located. Also, using Datura vulgaris, they tried to obtain information concerning personal life, as well as health. A person who tasted parts of a poisonous plant experienced hallucinations of various types. Some saw pictures, others heard voices, some went “on a journey through the astral plane.” However, researchers confirm that intoxication produced positive results. Things were found, betrayal was revealed, and so on. Flowers were held in special esteem in China. Datura was considered a sacred plant there. There is written evidence that it was used to prepare various medicines. In particular, flowers and seeds were used as a component of preparations for rashes on the face, nervous disorders and chills. As is known, Chinese medicine recognized by official science. Naturally, no one will refuse such a useful plant as Datura. It is very rich, from a medical point of view.
Why the plant attracted scientists
Note that information about Datura came from different parts of the world. The Indians have already been mentioned. Let's mention what they used this plant and for the manufacture of medicines. The drugs were used for seizures, skin rashes, to treat wounds and in other cases. But in India it was useful as a hallucinogen. The Austrians echoed the southerners. It was customary to throw an entire bush onto hot coals. The acrid smoke obtained in this way was inhaled and fell into a trance. And if in India this method was part of spiritual practices, then the Austrians were attracted precisely by drug intoxication. It doesn’t matter how we feel about it now: we had no idea about the dangers of intoxicating substances a hundred years ago. However, experiments various peoples attracted the attention of scientists. They began to study the plant, and not just admire its flowers. Datura revealed to them many of his useful properties, which are now successfully used.
About how to prepare
First of all, it is necessary to remember that the common datura is poisonous plant. Extreme care should be taken when harvesting. The seeds and leaves of the plant are valuable. Grass should be mowed only in dry weather, as wet leaves turn black if they are torn from the stem. Collection time is the beginning of summer, when the plant collects sap. Tear off the top leaves and dry in the oven. However, it is not recommended to raise the temperature above forty degrees. When the seeds are ripe, their collection begins. The leaf is also harvested during this period. Just dry it in a draft. The grass is considered ready when it becomes brittle. Just take the leaf in your hands. If it breaks with almost no pressure, then you can pack it for storage. Datura ordinary does not lose its properties for two years. Then it’s better to throw out the grass and collect another batch.
For agriculture
You probably know that when cultivating fields (and even small vegetable gardens) you cannot do without poisons. Any producer - from a large producer to an amateur - wants to preserve his harvest, which all kinds of pests “sharpen their teeth” on. So, it turned out that it is not at all necessary to buy chemicals if Datura vulgare grows in the garden. Its use leads to the same result as the use of expensive insecticidal preparations - this is the first thing. And secondly, it has no side effects. The infusion is used to spray plants against caterpillars, mites, cabbage moths, and bedbugs. The fruits do not accumulate toxic substances, which, having dealt with the pests, are washed away from the surface. Datura tincture is given to large animals for seizures, and the leaves are added to pig feed. It is believed that this increases the proportion of fat in their meat.
Datura in pharmacology
Specialists in the manufacture of medicines use hyoscyamine, which the plant is rich in, for their purposes. Preparations with this substance tone the respiratory system, block the activity of choline-reactive systems, help reduce the secretion of glands (sweat, salivary and gastric), and reduce muscle tone. Pharmacologists have developed a number of tinctures and medications recommended for the treatment of cough, bronchitis, and seizures. They have both antiseptic and calming effects. At the pharmacy you can also find drugs to treat stomach ulcers and duodenum, colitis and constipation, prepared on the basis of extracts of this plant. However, resorting to self-medication with their help is not recommended. Be sure to seek professional advice as they also contain poisons. The attention of oncologists was also attracted by Datura vulgaris, the seeds of which, together with Adonis, gave positive dynamics in the treatment of stomach tumors.
How to use it yourself
After consulting a doctor, you can try using Datura vulgare for ailments. The price in a pharmacy, for example, of five grams of seeds fluctuates around one hundred and fifty rubles. Agree, it's not that expensive. And they are used for epilepsy, cancer pain (stomach pathology). One teaspoon of seeds is poured with boiling water in an amount of 200 ml. They insist for half an hour. Then strain. You need to take one teaspoon at a time. An infusion of the leaves treats hemorrhoids. To prepare warm sitz baths, twenty grams of powder are infused in a glass of boiling water for an hour. Then dilute with ten liters warm water. Powdered leaves help relieve shortness of breath and cough. If you suffer from asthma attacks, then you need to breathe in the smoke from this raw material. In other cases, the powder is taken orally in small doses (literally at the tip of a knife).
For beauty
Cosmetologists are also interested in Datura vulgare. It definitely helps with hair, which so irritates beauties with its unwanted appearance in “wrong” places. You need to buy dry raw materials at the pharmacy. Pour one hundred and fifty grams into a liter of boiling water and simmer over low heat until the mass becomes homogeneous. Interestingly, this drug can be prepared for future use. It will be suitable for use for a long time. Just take it out and apply it to required areas. When it hardens, wash it off (along with the hairs that irritate you). Sometimes the decoction is used for douching: a teaspoon of dry product per half liter of water. Cook for five minutes. Set aside, strain and use. Douching can be done daily for no more than three weeks. Please note: Datura is extremely poisonous! Therefore, even its external use requires special caution.
Contraindications and side effects
Attention! When using Datura, you must carefully monitor your health. It is recommended to involve relatives in this process. The plant can affect the psyche. The patient himself may not recognize the deviations. Poisoning is very likely. Of course, if the rules are followed, this rarely happens. However, knowing the signs of unexpected troubles never hurt anyone. They are as follows: sore throat, nausea, dilated pupils, vomiting, dry mouth, increased excitability, hallucinations, paralysis. If at least one of the listed symptoms appears, you should urgently seek help. You cannot cope on your own, without a specialist, and the consequences can be very sad. Keep in mind that poisoning may take up to fifteen hours to appear. Be careful. Otherwise, like the ancient Aztecs, you will go to the astral plane to resolve your issues, and you may not be able to return.
Let's summarize. Datura common is dangerous, but very useful plant. It must be handled with extreme care. Self-indulgence and frivolity often lead to disastrous endings for those who do not study the world, trying only to take from him, without giving anything in return. And in our case, all we need to do is treat the useful representative with respect flora, take some time to understand what its strength is.
Instructions for use:
Datura vulgaris (stinking dope, dope potion, fool's drink, divtree, prickly apples, crazy grass, thistle, badura, stupor-grass, cocklebur) - poisonous annual herbaceous plant, having unpleasant smell, from the Datura genus of the Solanaceae family. The genus includes 25 plant species native to the tropics and subtropics. Datura common - the only kind, growing in the south and in middle lane European part of Russia, in the North Caucasus and Crimea, rarely in the northern regions. It has analgesic, antispasmodic and anticholinergic properties.
Chemical composition
All parts of the plant contain alkaloids, mainly atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine: in the roots - 0.12-0.27%, in the stems - 0.06-0.24%, in the leaves - 0.23-0.37%, in flowers – 0.13–1.9%, in seeds – 0.08–0.22%.
The leaves also contain: essential oil(up to 0.04%), tannins (1.7%) and carotene (up to 0.1%).
Beneficial features
The properties of Datura vulgaris are due to the antispasmodic and anticholinergic effects of alkaloids.
Indications for use
Datura vulgaris has been known for a long time as a poisonous and medicinal plant. Already in the Middle Ages, the leaves of the wild grass were used in Europe as a painkiller.
Datura leaves are mainly used for medicinal purposes. Preparations based on them are used for diseases of the respiratory tract accompanied by spasm of the bronchial muscles. The leaves are included in anti-asthma preparations for smoking, as well as anti-asthmatic drugs such as Asthmol and Astmatin.
Datura vulgare oil is included in liniments intended for rubbing against neuralgia and rheumatism.
Preparations from the leaves of the herb have a calming effect on the central nervous system, reduce the secretion of glands gastrointestinal tract.
In folk medicine around the world, cocklebur is used for nervous and mental illness, neuralgia, epilepsy, shortness of breath, convulsive cough, persistent hiccups, whooping cough, acute and chronic rheumatism, spasms of the stomach and intestines, partial prolapse of the uterus and colon, excessive sexual desire in women and priapism in men, mastitis, tumors.
Contraindications
- glaucoma;
- pregnancy;
- breastfeeding period;
- individual hypersensitivity to the plant.
Datura common is a poisonous plant, and all parts, and especially the seeds, are poisonous.
You should not abuse crazy herb preparations, since an overdose can cause severe poisoning. Its symptoms: dryness of the oral mucosa, severe thirst, headache, dilated pupils, unrelated speech, motor agitation, rapid pulse, hallucinations, hyperemia of the skin of the face and neck, hoarseness of voice, possible coma. Help in case of poisoning: gastric lavage with a weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), prescription of adsorbents, morphine, anticholinesterase and cholinomimetic drugs (prozerin, eserin, pilocarpine), symptomatic therapy.
Home remedies from datura vulgare
- tincture for convulsive cough: grind the seeds, mix with 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:5, leave for 14 days. Take 2 drops, stirring in 1 tbsp. l. water, 4–5 times a day, preferably before meals;
- sitz baths recommended for rectal prolapse: pour 20 g of dried leaves into 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, dilute with a bucket of warm boiled water and mix, leave for another 1 hour in a warm place;
- remedy for epilepsy, depression, nymphomania: 1 drop of Datura juice diluted with 2 tbsp. l. water. Take 3 times a day;
- tincture for convulsions, excessive drowsiness, spasms, neuralgia, bronchial asthma, convulsive cough and whooping cough: 2 tbsp. l. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the medicinal raw materials and boil for 5 minutes in a water bath. Inhale the infusion vapor through the nose for 15–20 minutes;
- remedy used for mastitis and tumors: 1 tbsp. l. dilute dope seed tincture with 100 ml of water. Use as lotions;
- decoction for rheumatism: 30 g of dried and crushed leaves, pour 10 liters of cold water, bring to a boil, boil a little over low heat, cool and strain. The decoction must be added to a bath filled with hot water. Take baths every other day for 15 minutes, the course of treatment is 20 days.
The very name “Datura” does not evoke pleasant associations. But daturas are not homogeneous, although almost all contain alkaloids in varying quantities. As a rule, when poisonous properties are mentioned, we are talking about Datura vulgare, which is widespread as a ruderal weed in the southern regions of Russia. Sometimes found as an alien in the south of Western and Eastern Siberia and in the Primorsky Territory. It grows near homes, in garbage areas, vacant lots, along roads, and in crops. It rises into the mountains to the mid-mountain zone. The popular names of the plant are quite ominous - hemlock, water drunk, glomusha, dur-nishnik, bad drunk, divderevo, dydor, mad potion, prickly, mullein, cows, mad or drunken cucumbers, stupefying grass, sha-ley, crazy grass, crazy grass.
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(Datura stramonium) - an annual plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), 40-100 cm high. The stem is erect, smooth, branched in the upper half. The leaves are 7-20 cm long, ovate with a pointed tip and sharp lobes, green above, lighter below. There are specimens with anthocyanin coloring of stems and leaf petioles. The flowers are white, sometimes lilac along the veins, large, funnel-shaped, 7-12 cm long, located singly in the forks of the stem and branches on straight, fluffy flower stalks sticking up, very showy. Flowering continues for a very long time. The fruits are large, 5-7 cm long, ovoid, erect, green capsules, covered with hard thorns. Blooms in May-September, bears fruit in July.
Dangerous alkaloids
All parts of the plant are poisonous, but the seeds are especially dangerous.
Datura contains 0.2-0.6% alkaloids (hyoscyamine, hyoscine, atropine, scopolamine, noratropine, norscopolamine, apoatropine, aposcopolamine), which cause parasympathicotropic and antispasmodic effects: they reduce the tone of the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, bile ducts and gallbladder, bronchi, etc.
Given its fairly wide distribution, dope poisoning has been known in history for a long time. The literature mentions the poisoning in 1676 of a group of sailors under the command of Captain John Smith, who mistakenly ate datura leaves in a salad (although, given the rather nasty smell of the plant, this fact is puzzling). In another case, which occurred somewhat later, a group of English soldiers were poisoned by mistakenly eating Datura leaves instead of something edible.
The clinical picture of poisoning and its consequences were quite accurately described by the famous Russian writer and poet I.A. Bunin in the poem “Datura”:
The girl ate dope,
Nausea, headache,
Cheeks glow, makes you sleepy,
But the heart is sweet, sweet, sweet:
Everything is unclear, everything is a mystery,
Some kind of ringing from all sides:
Without seeing, the eye sees something else,
Wonderful and unearthly,
Without hearing clearly catches the ear
The delight of heavenly harmony -
And weightless, incorporeal
The shepherd brought her home.
The next morning the coffin was put together.
They sang and sang over him,
The mother cried... And the father
Covered it with a plank lid
And he carried it to the churchyard under his arm.
Is it really the end of the fairy tale?
Poisoning occurs as an acute psychosis with hallucinations, motor and speech excitation is observed. The plant got its name for these “stupefying” symptoms. There is dryness of the oral mucosa and skin, skin rash, dysphagia, hoarseness, hyperemia of the mucous membranes of the pharynx; thirst, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, intestinal atony, body temperature may increase. On the part of the eyes - paralysis of accommodation (as after instillation of atropine at the ophthalmologist), lack of reaction of the pupils to light. Tachycardia, irregular, rapid pulse (up to 200 beats per minute) are noted, and possibly increased blood pressure. Psychomotor agitation up to a violent state is combined with hallucinations (delirium) and convulsions. Symptoms of poisoning develop over a long time range - from 10 minutes to 10-15 hours. In severe cases, death is possible.
Naturally, such a bouquet should be treated by a toxicologist, to whom the victim must be taken as soon as possible. While waiting for the doctor, you can do a gastric lavage with sodium bicarbonate solution or take activated charcoal (2 tablespoons per 0.5 liter of water).
The question arises: why are these horrors described? Because dope is in last years loved the quality ornamental plant and on the site you may not pay attention, and a tragedy will happen. And as the ancients said, “Forewarned is forearmed,” because in case of poisoning, minutes sometimes play a decisive role.
Not only poison, but also medicine
But Datura can also be a medicine. It is grown in fields specifically to produce these poisonous alkaloids. For ease of harvesting, they even developed the “Thornless” variety. Its raw materials are leaves, which are collected from the beginning of flowering to the end of fruiting.
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The active ingredients of the plant are hyoscyamine and scopolamine, alkaloids of the tropane group. Hyoscyamine, when chemically isolated from the plant, transforms into a dextrorotatory inactive form. Atropine is a mixture of active levorotatory and inactive dextrorotatory isomers. The levorotatory isomer is called hyoscyamine; it is approximately twice as active as the racemate (i.e., atropine).
The main pharmacological feature of hyoscyamine is the ability to block M-cholinergic receptors. In terms of the strength of its anticholinergic effect on the orbicularis oculi muscle, hyoscyamine is 0.5-2 times stronger than atropine. Hyoscyamine increases heart contractions, reduces the secretion of the salivary, gastric and sweat glands and the secretion of the pancreas, reduces the tone of smooth muscle organs (bronchi, abdominal organs, etc.). Under the influence of hyoscyamine, the pupils dilate strongly and for a long time. It tones and stimulates the respiratory center. This effect is more pronounced when the respiratory center is suppressed by alcohol or sleeping pills.
Application in medicine
Datura preparations are used in medical practice only on doctor's recommendation mainly as antispasmodics: for bronchial asthma, spastic conditions of the abdominal organs ( peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum, cholecystitis, colitis, hepatic colic, spastic constipation, etc.), cardiovascular diseases with symptoms of increased inhibitory vagal influences on the heart, with atrioventricular block, bradycardia. Datura preparations are also used for the prevention and treatment of sea and air sickness, and for the relief of attacks of Meniere's disease. Sometimes they are used to reduce the secretion of mucus and saliva during plastic surgery on the face and upper respiratory tract. Datura leaves are included in the anti-asthmatic cigarettes “Astmatin” and “Astmatol” for smoking.
Contraindications
Datura preparations are contraindicated for glaucoma.
In addition to the common datura, the Indian datura is also used in medicine. (Datura innoxia).
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Considering medicinal plants in general, one cannot help but be surprised at their diversity. Almost every blade of grass, branch-leaf, top-root has brought invaluable benefits to people for thousands of years and centuries, helping to restore health. There are plants whose benefits are known to almost everyone - for example, chamomile, plantain, linden, calendula. But there are also those, looking at which most of us are not even aware of their medicinal value.
Of all the diversity medicinal plants in a special row are those whose magical aura very often obscures their practical benefits, forcing ordinary people to fear them and their impact on people. I want to tell you about one of the types of such medicinal plants, shrouded in a haze of ancient secrets and legends.
This wonderful plant – dope, or datura(Datura).
Datura is one of the most interesting species plants with pharmacological properties. Having a reputation as one of the most powerful hallucinogens, Datura was, however, widely used in both the Old and New Worlds. It continues to be used now - both in folk and homeopathic and classical medicine.
Datura belongs to the nightshade family, which includes a total of about 2.5 thousand species. This includes plants with strong narcotic properties such as mandrake, belladonna, henbane and tobacco.
Botanists rightly call the nightshade family paradoxical, since it also includes ordinary edible plants (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, sweet and hot peppers), and beautiful decorative and fragrant flowers and vines, lovingly bred by gardeners all over the world, and those plants mentioned above that contain the strongest narcotic alkaloids.
Datura is divided into four main types:
- Datura stramonium - common datura ;
- Datura innoxia - Indian datura, or Datura is harmless;
- Datura snowstorm - Indian datura;
- Datura ceratocaula.
Although, in fairness, it must be said that botanists still cannot settle on a general classification of dope and determine the exact number of their species. It has also not yet been established in what place this or that species originated.
Most scientists agree that the homeland of Datura is Mexico and Central America, and that these plants were brought to Europe along with other representatives of the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco, peppers). Other sources claim that the homeland of datura is the Caspian steppes, from where the plants spread to Africa and East Asia, and were brought to Europe by gypsies in the Middle Ages. This confusion occurs because for many centuries people have used Datura, actively traded and exchanged it, taking it around the world. Therefore, it is now impossible to say where this plant appeared and where it was first cultivated. Datura is found in Asia, Europe, America, Africa and even Australia. Where is its true homeland, and where was it brought, and the plant easily took root in foreign soil? Disputes among scientists continue to this day.
One thing is certain: datura has always played a significant role in human civilization; they have been cultivated on the Asian and American continents for more than 3,000 years. For centuries, from the hemispheres of the rounded dope fruit, people have extracted sacred seeds that have the power to evoke visions, and in moments of illness, to alleviate suffering by pacifying pain.
Datura, especially common datura - unpretentious plant, often found along roadsides and vacant lots. Datura seeds are distinguished by rare endurance; they do not lose their germination capacity for decades. Scientists have described a case where Datura seeds showed 90 percent germination after storage for almost forty years.
But the most mysterious and magical aura has always been surrounded by the Indian dope, or datura blizzard. Legends surrounding it amazing plant, are found in all regions of its habitat.
There is a beautiful Indian legend that tells about the amazing origin of the plant. aneglakia- Datura, one of the most sacred plants of those places:
“In ancient times, there lived a boy and a girl, a brother and a sister. The boy’s name was Aneglakia, and the girl’s name was Aneglakiatsitsa. They lived in the very depths of the earth, but often went out into the outside world and walked, trying to see, hear and learn as much as possible. Then they told their mother about everything they saw and heard. These constant stories did not please the twin sons of the sun god, who were unpleasantly surprised by such curiosity and awareness of their brother and sister. One day, having met a boy and a girl on Earth, the twin gods asked them: “How are you living?” “We are very happy,” the children answered. And they said that they know how to send sleep to people, causing amazing visions. And sometimes they give people the ability to find out in their dreams the location of missing or stolen things. Having heard All this, the twin gods concluded that Aneglakia and Anegdakiatsitsa knew too much to visit the outside world, and that they needed to be expelled from here forever.They ordered that the brother and sister fall into the ground forever.
But then, right there, in this very place, two flowers rose, exactly the same as the brother and sister used to decorate people’s heads to give them visions.
In memory of the brother and sister, the gods named the flower “aneglakia”. From these first plants many children were born, who spread throughout the Earth to bring visions to many people. Some of the flowers were painted yellow, others - in blue, others - in red, some still remained white; color was their main distinguishing feature. But all the plants brought upon people an amazing dream, full of magical visions."
The Aztecs used Datura, which they called olollukwi, in the treatment of almost all diseases, including even paralysis, and also as a component of an ointment used to treat wounds and cuts. The narcotic effect of the plant was also used by Aztec sorcerers to unite people spiritually, inducing collective visions, causing people to laugh, cry, dance or prophesy. Datura seeds were considered sacred; they were placed on altars or in special sacred boxes, which were presented as gifts to Aztec deities.
Almost all Indian tribes of Central and South America used this plant, adding it to special drinks used during ritual ceremonies, initiation and witchcraft. Datura was also a very popular folk medicine. Using its anesthetic effect, healers used datura to drink during primitive surgical operations, sometimes even performing craniotomies.
In the Caribbean islands, datura was also used as a magical plant. Here it was known as "herbe aux sorciers" - witch herb and "concombre-zombie" - zombie cucumber. These names indicate the area of use of dope - zombies. The victims of such practices were usually criminals who were not subject to other punishments. Then they were turned into zombies. A strong extract of fish poison (d-tubucucurine) was added to a strong herbal decoction, in which datura was one of the main components, and then the resulting drink was given to the criminal to drink. The effect of this potion on a person was to put the person into a state of pseudo-coma with a complete lack of physical and mental sensitivity. In this state, all reflexes were completely absent, and there was also no consciousness.
The zombie was declared dead, he was placed in a coffin with drilled holes for air access and buried in the grave with full observance of the funeral ceremony. Three days later, the coffin was dug out of the ground and the zombie was given another portion of drink prepared from datura to initiate his “life after life.” In this state, the zombie was completely subservient and acted in accordance with the role that the sorcerer instilled in him. A daily added dose of datura maintained such a person in a state of constant hypnosis. The victim's soul was literally squeezed out of the body, the zombie completely lost the sense of himself and his identity in the world around him.
On the other side globe, in China the plant was also considered sacred. The Chinese believed that Buddha received his sacred sermons from heaven, from where they fell in the form of raindrops and remained as dewdrops on the petals of Datura. According to Taoist legend it is believed that white datura(Datura alba) is a flower of one of the polar stars, whose messengers can always be recognized among other people, since they carry flowers of this plant in their hands.
The Chinese botanist Li Shi-Chen in the 16th century describes the medical use of one of the varieties of datura - Man-to-lo-hua: a medicine was prepared from flowers and seeds, which was used externally for rashes on the face, and was also prescribed for internal use for chills, nervous disorders and other diseases. Its narcotic properties were also known to the Chinese. Datura added to wine along with cannabis was used as anesthesia for minor surgical operations.
Li Shi-Chen, who conducted experiments on himself, describes: “It is traditionally believed that if a person laughed while collecting these flowers, then the drink to which they are added will cause a desire to laugh; flowers that have been picked crying will, when consumed, cause the desire to cry, and if the people who collected the plants danced, then drinking will cause the desire to start dancing. I have found that the desires that arise in a person who is in a state of intoxication from Man-to-lo-hua can be transmitted to him by other people ".
In India, known for its unique theosophy, they believed that the datura sprout grows from the chest of the god Shiva; This plant was also called the tassel that decorates Shiva's headdress. Temple dancers drank wine with crushed Datura seeds and, when the poison was completely dissolved in their blood, fell into a state of obsession. They gave answers to all the questions asked of them, without understanding who was asking them and why. And when the state of drug intoxication passed, the women did not remember anything about what happened. For this reason, ordinary Indians called this plant “drunkard”, “madman”, “grass of fools”.
Datura was also considered sacred by followers of the cult of Kali, the Hindu goddess of death and destruction. The adherents of this cult, known as tags, or “stranglers,” made a drug from Datura leaves, with which they dulled the consciousness of people, and then kidnapped them and sacrificed them to their sinister goddess.
Sidhas and yogis smoked datura leaves and seeds, mixing it with ganya- another plant dedicated to Shiva. The combination of these two plants illustrated the dualism (androgyny) of the nature of the god: Datura represented the masculine principle, while ganya expressed the feminine essence. The fruit, consisting of two halves, symbolized dualism. Being the god of Fire, Shiva transforms the power of his sacred plants into the cosmic sexual energy of the Universe, and the Kundalini snake, which had been sleeping until then, curled up in the area of the first chakra at the base of the spine, awakens. Wriggling, it carries divine energy throughout the body, permeating all the chakras, until the yogi’s consciousness unites with the cosmic consciousness, in which all opposites merge into one.
In accordance with this symbolism, Datura flowers hold a strong reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac.
There is evidence that crushed datura metel seeds, mixed with wine or other drinks, have long been used in India as an aphrodisiac, and mixed with oil and applied externally to the genital area, cured impotence. Such drugs were worth their weight in gold.
Datura was also used in Indian medicine for mental disorders, various fevers, swelling, skin diseases, burning in the chest, and diarrhea.
The sacred thorny fruits of datura are still often used to decorate the altars of ancient gods in the mountains of Tibet.
In the rest of Asia, datura blizzard has also been used in folk medicine and as a poison. Today, crushed seeds or crushed leaves of this plant, mixed with cannabis, are widely used for smoking in Indonesia.
IN medieval Europe the so-called witches, of whom there were many in those days, made their “magic” ointments by adding juice and crushed parts of belladonna and dope to them. By rubbing these ointments into their bodies, the witches were subjected to drug influence, during which some of them felt a feeling of flight, and others - a love ecstasy with Satan himself during the Sabbaths.
And in our enlightened times, in the books of Carlos Castaneda, this plant is mentioned, called the “devil's grass”; it is often used by the sorcerer don Juan to achieve the effect of flight. The old one brujo(the sorcerer) never particularly favored the “devil’s grass,” saying that it was like a woman. He told his disciples: "... She ( grass ) is strong and seems like a reliable ally, but I personally don’t like something about her. It perverts people's minds, giving them too quickly a taste of power without strengthening their hearts, and, in the midst of feeling its amazing power, suddenly makes them weak and weak-willed, dependent and unpredictable.".
Shamans in many countries of the world have used and continue to use mixtures of Datura in their rituals to facilitate the exit of their astral double from the physical body and the transition to another dimension to communicate with gods and spirits, for prophecies and clairvoyance.
The earliest scientific description of Datura was made by the great Arab physician Avicenna in the 11th century; he describes the datura under the name “juzmatal” - “ Blizzard nuts". The specific name of the plant (“blizzard”) was taken from this Arabic source. And the generic name of the plant (“datura”) was used in Latin transcription by Carl Linnaeus based on the Sanskrit name “dhatura” or “dutra”. The English botanist Gerard found a mention of Datura in the Greek author Theocratus, who calls it hippomania- a herb that causes madness in horses. Also, the Greek author believed that Datura was used in Ancient Greece by the priests of Apollo when entering a trance during prophecies.
What is this amazing plant from a scientific point of view?
The main value of Datura for medicine is its alkaloids, which belong to the class of tropines. These are atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine and hyoscine; and the whole group is united under the name stramonins or Daturians. They are present in varying concentrations in all parts of the plant; their number increases at night and decreases during the day, as well as during the rainy season.
The chemical composition is one part of the steroid daturasterol and the tricyclic diterpene daturabietarien, which are isolated from the stem bark of Datura metel along with beta-sitosterol and atropine. One of pharmacological properties alkaloids have an antispasmodic effect on the pulmonary muscles; they affect the internal secretion organs, reducing the amount of mucus secreted in the lungs. The combination of these properties makes datura an ideal anti-asthmatic remedy.
The old-fashioned way of dealing with respiratory diseases is still used in some countries by inhaling drugs containing scopolamine and atropine.
The alkaloid daturine is widely used to dilate the pupil during ophthalmological examinations and in cycloplegia. It also acts on the nervous system as a stimulant, while hyoscine is a strong depressant.
Atropine is used to relieve depression, and together with morphine and hyoscine it is an antidote for poisoning with highly toxic phosphates and nerve gases.
The natural drug hyoscine is used to relieve pain and relieve pain during childbirth. Datura preparations are also used as a prophylactic against tetanus and rabies.
However, you should always remember that atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine are powerful psychotropic substances that can not only cause severe damage to physical and mental health, but even kill a physically strong adult.
Therefore, any experiments on oneself are extremely undesirable, and they are strictly contraindicated for people with any type of heart disease. The effect of poisoning with these alkaloids is manifested in a stimulating effect on the central nervous system and, at the same time, in the inhibition of peripheral nerves. Symptoms of poisoning include increased heart rate, dry mucous membranes, dry cough, and possible seizures. At the initial stage of exposure, agitation (sometimes manifested in the form of incoherent speech and causeless laughter), forgetfulness, and a lethargic state are observed, which turns into repeated periods of activity. Vivid hallucinations and delusions also appear. In some cases, there are attacks of extreme rage and destructive behavior. Periods of excitement are usually followed by long, deep sleep, accompanied by vivid dreams and hallucinations, often of sexual content. After waking up, you experience a hangover syndrome and a total loss of memory - the feeling that everything happened to another person.
In cases of datura poisoning, first aid should be to try to induce vomiting and perform intestinal lavage. For detoxification you can give powder charcoal. And immediately call an ambulance!
Tracing the long history of the use of dope by humans, one involuntarily asks the question: how did people learn to use it safely? One possible answer is animal observation. Tribal communities of people who lived in unity with nature observed various animals and the effect that datura had on them. People copied the behavior of animals, using the same plants to achieve a hallucinogenic effect.
Modern scientists have observed how moths, saturated with the nectar of nightshades blooming at night, lost their orientation; however, the butterflies continued to return to these plants again and again to obtain the next dose of the drug.
Hummingbirds also use datura and, after ingesting the narcotic nectar, randomly flap their wings like drunk people, and then fall into a stupor and lie as if dead for several hours.
Another observation was that animals that use hallucinogenic plants occasionally remain drug-free longer than those that use them regularly.
Interestingly, some animals are not affected by Datura.
The beetles have biochemical defenses against the poison of some narcotic plants. Ants have the same abilities and are able to recognize them among other plants. Often, having studied certain seeds, they leave without touching them.
Bees are also not exposed to drugs.
Different species of birds are able to distinguish seeds that are harmless to them, and also have a mechanism for neutralizing plant poisons.
Using the animal world as a model for study, ancient hunters began to use datura, first introducing it into witchcraft rituals, and then began to find more and more optimal doses for medicinal purposes.
The use of this plant has been traced by scientists throughout human history. We can confidently talk about the prospects for using datura in the future.
Detoxification environment is necessary to preserve nature so that humanity begins to live in greater harmony with its Earth. The increase in environmental pollution as a result of modern technocratic industrialization leads to environmental destruction and irreparable losses in flora and fauna. Every day the problem of its purification becomes more and more important and significant. And datura can partially help solve this problem.
"Datura bushes can act like a sponge, absorbing heavy metal elements from contaminated soil. The toxins concentrated in its trunk can then be removed and the remaining parts of the plant used in pharmaceutical applications." Reading these lines from Dr. T. McKenna, you begin to understand that only in closer collaboration with plants and nature in general can we hope for the possibility of our survival as a species in the future. By ignoring the benefits that plants such as datura can give us, or seeing it only as a “grass of oblivion,” we pass by a large number of potential opportunities that ensure our survival in the modern world.
Botanical characteristics. Biennial soft-hairy, sticky herbaceous plant with an unpleasant odor. In the first year of life, only a rosette of basal, long-petiolate, oblong-ovate or elliptical in outline leaves with a few large teeth is formed, in the second - a single branched stem 50-100 cm high, with regular sessile semi-stem-encompassing leaves. Stem leaves are oblong-lanceolate, notched-lobed or incised, with triangular lobes. The flowers are slightly irregular, five-membered, with a double perianth, almost sessile, collected in a whorl inflorescence, which unwinds and lengthens as the fruits form. The corolla is dirty yellow with purple veins, almost wheel-shaped. The fruit is a jug-shaped multi-seeded capsule enclosed in the calyx remaining with the fruit, which opens with a lid. The seeds are small, round, brownish-gray, with a fine-mesh surface (Fig. 10.6). Blooms almost all summer. The seeds ripen in August - September.
Rice. 10.6. Black henbane - Hyoscyamus niger L.
Spreading. Widely distributed in the European part of the country, the Caucasus, and Siberia. Does not form thickets, grows scatteredly or in small groups.
Habitat. Ruderal and weed plant. It grows in streets, garbage areas, near roads, in gardens and orchards, in fields, borders and pastures, near housing. Cultivated in Ukraine and Krasnodar region (Russia).
Preparation. Rosette leaves are cut with knives or sickles, stem leaves are torn off by hand during the flowering phase. Henbane grass, which is harvested during the period of the end of flowering and the beginning of fruiting, is allowed to be harvested. It is not allowed to collect leaves that are affected by powdery mildew, or that are dirty or damp from dew or rain. The leaves are placed loosely in the container so as not to cause them to turn black during drying.
The plant is poisonous, so precautions must be taken when collecting and drying raw materials.
^ Security measures. It is not permitted to uproot wild plants.
Drying. In attics with good ventilation, the raw materials are laid out in a thin layer (1-2 cm) and turned periodically. Drying is possible in dryers with artificial heating at a temperature of 40-45 ° C. The yield of dry raw leaves is 16-18%.
Standardization. GF XI, issue. 2, art. 17.
External signs. ^ Whole raw materials. Whole or partially crushed leaves are oblong-ovate, ovoid or elliptical in shape, pinnately incised, pinnately lobed or whole with an unevenly serrated edge. The basal leaves have a long petiole and are covered on both sides with thick, long, soft hairs; stem - without petioles, less pubescent, hairs are located mainly along the veins and edge of the leaf blade. The length of the leaves is 5-20 cm, width 3-10 cm. The midrib is whitish, flat, greatly expanding towards the base. The color of the leaves is grayish-green. The smell is weak, peculiar, and intensifies when moistened. The taste is not defined (!). Crushed raw materials. Pieces of leaves various shapes passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm. The color is grayish green. The smell is weak, peculiar, and intensifies when moistened. The taste is not defined (!).
Microscopy. The epidermal cells of the leaf have slightly tortuous walls on the upper side, and more tortuous walls on the lower side. The stomata are numerous on both sides of the leaf, surrounded by 3 (less often 4) parastomatal cells, one of which is usually smaller than the others (anisocytic type). The hairs are numerous, of two types: simple and capitate. Simple hairs are thin-walled, some of them are 2-3-celled, small, others are multicellular, very large. Capitate hairs with a long multicellular stalk and a 4-8-cell (occasionally 1-2-cell) glandular head. The leaf mesophyll contains single prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; Often in late collected leaves there are crystals in the form of cruciform intergrowths or blunt drusen. Large veins contain elongated oval cells filled with crystalline sand. Young leaves contain only small, barely noticeable prismatic crystals located near the veins (Fig. 10.7).
Rice. 10.7. Microscopy of a henbane leaf:
A - epidermis of the upper side; B - epidermis of the lower side: 1 - simple hairs; 2 - capitate hairs; 3 - calcium oxalate crystals.
^ Chemical composition. Henbane leaves contain a sum of tropane alkaloids (0.04-0.16%): the main one is hyoscyamine, as well as hyoscine, apohyoscine, scopolamine, apoatropine; flavonoids – spireoside, quercitrin, hyperoside, rutin. Withanolides were found in henbane seeds.
Storage. In a dry, well-ventilated area, according to list B, separately from other raw materials. Whole raw materials are packaged in bales, cut raw materials - in bags. Shelf life: 3 years.
^ Medicines.
Henbane leaves are part of the anti-asthma collection.
Bleached butter, oil for external use (oil extract). Analgesic, irritant.
Bleached butter is part of combined liniments (“Saliniment”, “Kapsin”, complex methyl salicylate liniment, etc.).
Pharmacological properties. Henbane preparations have an M-anticholinergic effect associated with the presence of tropane alkaloids in the plant. The drugs reduce or stop spasms of the smooth muscles of the intestines, biliary and urinary tracts, and have a lesser effect on the smooth muscles of the bronchi. They inhibit the separation of tear fluid, mucus and gastric juice.
Application. Henbane leaves are part of the anti-asthma collection; are used to obtain an oil extract used externally as a distraction and analgesic for neuralgia, myositis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
^ Numerical indicators. Whole raw materials. The amount of alkaloids in terms of hyoscyamine, determined titrimetrically, is not less than 0.05%; humidity no more than 14%; total ash no more than 20%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, no more than 10%; yellowed, browned, blackened leaves no more than 3%; other parts of the plant (stems, flowers, fruits) no more than 5%; crushed particles passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 3 mm, no more than 8%; organic impurity no more than 1%; mineral impurity no more than 1%. Crushed raw materials. The amount of alkaloids in terms of hyoscyamine is not less than 0.05%; humidity no more than 14%; total ash no more than 20%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, no more than 10%; yellowed, browned and blackened pieces of leaves no more than 3%; other parts of the plant (flowers, fruits, pieces of stems) no more than 5%; particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm, no more than 8%; particles passing through a sieve with holes measuring 0.5 mm, no more than 10%; organic impurity no more than 1%; mineral impurity no more than 1%.
^ Datura LEAVES - FOLIA STRAMONII
Datura common datura - Datura stramonium L.
Sem. Solanaceae - Solanaceae
Other names: stinking dope, dope-potion, dope-dope, thorns, kings, dope-grass
^ Botanical characteristics. An annual herbaceous plant up to 100 cm high with an unpleasant odor. The stem is erect, succulent, bare, hollow, forked-branched in the upper part. The leaves are alternate, pairwise close together, petiolate, ovate, unevenly coarsely toothed, almost lobed, 7-20 cm long, 5-15 (20) cm wide. The flowers are solitary in the forks of the stem and its branches, regular, five-membered, with a double perianth. The calyx is tubular, pentagonal, 4-6 cm long, the corolla is white or bluish, tubular-funnel-shaped, 6-12 cm long. The fruit is a multi-seeded erect capsule ovoid, covered with hard, hard spines, with the remainder of a calyx at the base, opens with four valves. The seeds are flattened, rounded, kidney-shaped, matte black (Fig. 10.8; 10.11, A). Blooms in June - September, bears fruit in July.
Rice. 10.8. Datura common datura - Datura stramonium L.
Spreading. Distributed quite widely, found mainly in the middle and southern zone of the European part of the country, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Cultivated in specialized farms in Ukraine and Krasnodar region (Russia).
Habitat. Ruderal plant. It grows in vacant lots, vegetable gardens, along roads, near housing, in cities. Usually grows in clumps, less often scattered.
Preparation. Datura leaves are harvested from the flowering phase to the end of fruiting, always in dry, clear weather. The leaves are collected by hand without petioles. When collecting raw materials, you must take precautions: do not touch your eyes, lips, or nose with your hands. After work, wash your hands thoroughly.
Drying. The collected leaves are dried without delay, spread out in a thin layer (2-3 cm), in attics under an iron roof, in a room with good ventilation or outdoors in the shade, with frequent stirring. The best quality raw materials are obtained by drying them in dryers at a temperature not exceeding 40 °C. Drying is considered complete when the midrib becomes brittle. The yield of dry raw materials is 12-14%.
Standardization. GF XI, issue. 2, art. 24.
External signs. ^ Whole raw materials. Whole or partially crushed leaves are ovoid, glabrous, pointed at the apex, mostly wedge-shaped at the base, unevenly coarsely notched-toothed or deeply notched-lobed along the edges; petioles are cylindrical. The venation is pinnate. Slight pubescence is noticeable along the veins on the underside. The veins, main and lateral, are of the first order, strongly protruding from the lower side, convex, bare, yellowish-white. The length of the leaves is up to 20 cm, width up to 20 cm. The color of the leaves is dark green on the upper side, somewhat lighter on the lower side. The smell is weak, specific, intensifying when the leaves are moistened. The taste is not defined (!). Crushed raw materials. Pieces of leaves of various shapes, passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm. Green color. The smell is weak, specific, and increases with moisture. The taste is not defined (!).
Microscopy. When examining the leaf from the surface, epidermal cells are visible: on the upper side - with slightly tortuous walls, on the lower side - with more tortuous walls. The stomata on both sides of the leaf, with more of them on the underside, are surrounded by 3-4 parastomatal cells, one of which is significantly smaller than the others (anisocytic type). There are two types of hairs: simple and capitate. Simple hairs are large, consisting of 2 (less often 5) cells with thin walls and a roughly warty surface, located mainly along the veins and along the edge of the leaf. Capitate hairs are smaller, with a multicellular (less often unicellular) rounded or obovate head on a short, slightly curved unicellular stalk. Young leaves have significantly more capitate hairs than older leaves. In parenchyma cells, blunt-ended drusen of calcium oxalate are visible in large numbers (Fig. 10.9).
Rice. 10.9. Microscopy of a Datura leaf:
A - epidermis of the upper side; B - epidermis of the lower side; B - epidermis above the vein: 1 - simple hairs; 2 - capitate hairs; 3 - drusen of calcium oxalate; 4 – cells with crystalline calcium oxalate sand.
^ Chemical composition. Datura leaves contain a sum of tropane alkaloids (0.23-0.27%), consisting mainly of hyoscyamine and scopolamine. In addition, the leaves contain tannins, steroids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids.
Storage. The leaves are hygroscopic and quickly become damp, so they should be stored in well-packed containers in a dry, well-ventilated area. Shelf life: 2 years. Raw materials are stored according to list B.
Medicines.
1. The leaves are part of the anti-asthma collection.
2. Datura oil, oil for external use (oil extract). Irritant, pain reliever.
3. Datura oil is part of combined liniments (“Saliniment”, “Kapsin”, complex methyl salicylate liniment, etc.).
^ Antispasmodic, M-anticholinergic, local irritant.
Pharmacological properties. Datura common is characterized by M-anticholinergic properties due to the presence of tropane alkaloids. Hyoscyamine has a pronounced bronchodilator effect, tones and stimulates the respiratory center, reduces the tone of smooth muscle organs, reduces the secretion of sweat, salivary and gastric glands and the secretion of the pancreas, reduces the effect of the vagus nerve on the heart.
Application. Datura leaves are included in the anti-asthma mixture. An oil extract from the leaves is used as an external irritant and pain reliever for rubbing against neuralgia and rheumatism.
^ Numerical indicators. Whole raw materials. The amount of alkaloids in terms of hyoscyamine, determined titrimetrically, is not less than 0.25%; humidity no more than 14%; total ash no more than 20%; blackened and yellowed leaves no more than 5%; other parts of the plant (stems, individual fruits, flowers) no more than 2%; crushed particles passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 3 mm, no more than 4%; organic impurity no more than 0.5%; mineral impurity no more than 0.5%. Crushed raw materials. The amount of alkaloids in terms of hyoscyamine is not less than 0.25%; humidity no more than 14%; total ash no more than 20%; pieces of yellowed and blackened leaves no more than 5%; other parts of the plant (pieces of stems, individual fruits, flowers) no more than 2%; particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm, no more than 8%; particles passing through a sieve with holes measuring 0.5 mm, no more than 10%; organic impurity no more than 0.5%; mineral impurity no more than 0.5%.
^ INDIAN Datura SEEDS - SEMINA DATURAE INNOXIAE
FRUITS OF INDIAN Datura - FRUCTUS DATURAE INNOXIAE
Indian Datura - Datura innoxia Mill.
Sem. Solanaceae - Solanaceae
Botanical characteristics. A perennial (in cultivation annual) herbaceous plant with a forked-branched reddish-purple thick stem. The leaves are alternate, broadly ovate, shallowly notched, densely pubescent, on long petioles, with a strong intoxicating odor. The flowers are solitary, regular, five-membered, with a double perianth. The calyx is tubular, green, the corolla is tubular-funnel-shaped, white, up to 20 cm long. The fruit is a drooping, almost spherical capsule, densely seated with soft spines, with the remainder of the calyx at the base. The seeds are numerous, flattened, kidney-shaped, bright yellow (Fig. 10.10; 10.11, B). It blooms in July–October, bears fruit in August.
Rice. 10.10. Indian Datura - Datura innoxia Mill.
Spreading. The homeland of the Indian datura is Mexico. It is cultivated as an annual crop in the Krasnodar region (Russia), Crimea (Ukraine), Moldova and the Chimkent region (Kazakhstan).
Preparation. The boxes are removed manually. Juicy unripe fruits are collected in two or more periods as they develop.
Drying. The boxes are cut using straw cutters and dried either in the sun or in dryers at a temperature of 40-50 °C. After drying, the seeds are separated from the boxes on sieves, since technological processes alkaloid extractions are different (seeds require preliminary degreasing).
Standardization. FS 42-612-72 (fruits); FS 42-1005-90 (seeds).
^ External signs. Fruit. The raw material consists of a mixture of pieces of capsules of various shapes and sizes, seated with dense, sharp, thin, heavily pubescent spines up to 1 cm long, parts of placenta with papillae. The smell is weak and peculiar. The taste is not defined (!). Seeds 4-5 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, kidney-shaped, flattened, with a depression on the ventral side and a tuberous ridge on the dorsal side. The surface of the seeds is finely pitted. Color from grayish-brown to yellowish-brown, matte. The smell is weak and peculiar. The taste is not defined (!).
Rice. 10.11. Datura common (A) and Datura Indian (B):
1 – fruit; 2 – sheet.
Microscopy. Epidermal cells boxes polygonal, straight-walled, with numerous hairs. Capitate hairs are of two types: on a multicellular stalk with a unicellular head, on a short unicellular stalk with a large multicellular head. On the epidermis of the calyx remains there are capitate hairs and simple multicellular branched hairs. In the parenchyma cells there are sac cells with crystalline sand.
On a cross section through the central part seed the seed coat and endosperm are visible. The root is located closer to the ventral suture, and the cotyledons are located closer to the dorsal suture. The outer epidermis of the seed coat has lens-shaped thickenings on the side walls of the cells. Under the epidermis, several layers of rounded parenchyma cells with intercellular spaces are visible. The inner epidermis is represented by one row of slightly elongated small cells.
^ Chemical composition. All parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids - scopolamine and hyoscyamine. The highest content of alkaloids is found in fruits and seeds. The scopolamine content in unripe capsules is 0.55%, in seeds - 0.31%.
Storage. Fruits and seeds are stored according to list B. The shelf life of fruits is 1 year, seeds - 3 years.
^ Medicines.
Scopolamine hydrobromide, powder (substance); solution 0.05%. Central and peripheral M-anticholinergic, sedative.
Aeron, tablets of 0.0005 g (scopolamine camphorate 0.0001 g and hyoscyamine camphorate 0.0004 g). M-anticholinergic agent.
Pharmacological properties. Determined by the content of the alkaloid scopolamine in the plant. Chemically, scopolamine is close to atropine: it is an ester of scopine alcohol and tropic acid, but has a number of distinctive features. Scopolamine has a sedative effect on the central nervous system, depresses motor activity, may have a hypnotic effect.
In terms of its effect on peripheral M-cholinergic receptors, scopolamine is close to atropine, causes a strong but short-term mydriatic effect and paralysis of accommodation, increases the rate of heart contractions, relaxes the tone of smooth muscles, and reduces the secretion of digestive and sweat glands.
Application. The fruits and seeds of Datura are used to produce the alkaloid scopolamine, the preparations of which are used primarily in neuropsychiatric practice as a sedative. Scopolamine camphor is part of the drug "Aeron", which is used for the prevention and treatment of sea and air sickness, prevention and relief of attacks of Meniere's disease; to reduce mucus and salivation during plastic surgery on the face and during operations on the upper respiratory tract.
^ Numerical indicators. Fruit. The content of scopolamine, determined by gravimetric method, is not less than 0.2%; humidity no more than 14%; total ash no more than 25%; organic impurity no more than 1%; mineral impurity no more than 2%. Seeds. The content of scopolamine, determined by gravimetric method, is not less than 0.2%; humidity no more than 12%; total ash no more than 5%; organic impurity no more than 1.5%; mineral impurity no more than 1%.
^ COCAINE BUSH LEAVES (COCA LEAVES) - FOLIA ERYTHROXYLONI SOCAE
Coca bush (erythroxylon coca) - Erythroxylon coca Lam.
Sem. cocaine (erythroxylaceae) - Erythroxylaceae
Botanical characteristics. Evergreen densely foliated shrub 2-3 (5) m tall, with small white flowers in the leaf axils. The leaves are alternate, short-petiolate, entire, elliptical with a pointed apex, thin, glabrous, 5-10 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. In budding, the leaf blade is folded longitudinally on both sides, and after unfolding, folds remain on the underside in the form of two arcs parallel to the central vein; these collenchymatic thickenings under the epidermis are the best diagnostic sign to recognize coca leaves (Fig. 10.12).
Rice. 10.12. Coca bush - Erythroxylon coca Lam.
Spreading. The coca bush is native to Peru, Bolivia and the eastern slopes of the Andes. Currently, it is almost never found in the wild; it has long been introduced into culture by the Indians. Widely cultivated in all South American countries (especially in Colombia), in tropical and partly in subtropical zones. The culture was also transferred to the countries of Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, India) and some African countries.
^ Chemical composition. Coca leaves contain alkaloids, the total amount of which is 0.5-1.5%. The main alkaloids in this amount are cocaine. The structure of cocaine is based on ecgonine, a derivative of tropane. The main derivative of ecgonine is twice ester methylbenzoylecgonine, called cocaine. Cocaine contains up to 80% alkaloids.
^ Medicines.
1. Cocaine hydrochloride, powder (substance). Local anesthetic.
Application. Cocaine has a local anesthetic effect, which was first established in 1878 by Russian pharmacologist V.K. Anrep. At a certain stage in the development of medicine, this property turned out to be extremely valuable for dental practice and small operations. 1-5% solutions of cocaine hydrochloride are used for local anesthesia of the conjunctiva and cornea, mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nose, larynx, and dental pulp. Currently, cocaine is being replaced with synthetic drugs. Using cocaine as a drug causes great harm to the body - cocaine addicts destroy their nervous system and quickly die.
Medicinal plant materials containing alkaloids of the pyrrolizidine group
^ HERBA SENECIONIS PLATYPHYLLOIDIS
Flat-leaved groundsel - Senecio platyphylloides Somm. et Levier
(= Adenostyles platyphylloides (Somm. et Levier) Czer.)
Sem. Compositae – Asteraceae (Compositae)
Other names: auricular ragus, flat-leaved adenostyles
^ Botanical characteristics. A perennial herbaceous plant 50-150 (250) cm high with an erect, unbranched single stem and a long horizontal rhizome with numerous roots. The basal and lower stem leaves are long-petiolate, very large, triangular-reniform with a deeply notched base and an unequally toothed edge, dense, glabrous above, dark green, lighter below, pubescent; at the base of the petioles of the middle leaves, peculiar outgrowths-blades (“ears”) are clearly visible. ); the middle and upper leaves gradually become smaller and their petioles are shortened, the upper leaves are ovate or ovate-lanceolate, almost sessile. The baskets are small, numerous, and collected in an apical corymbose-paniculate inflorescence. All flowers (10-15) in the basket are tubular, bisexual, with a yellow corolla. The fruit is an achene with a tuft (Fig. 10.13). It blooms in June–August, the fruits ripen in July–September.
Rice. 10.13. Flat-leaved groundsel - Senecio platyphylloides Somm. et Levier
Spreading. Flat-leaved groundsel is endemic to the Caucasus. The main part of its range is limited to the Greater Caucasus Range. In addition, three large fragments of the range are located in Transcaucasia. The main region for the procurement of raw materials is Georgia.
Habitat. It forms thickets of varying sizes near the upper forest boundary and in the adjacent subalpine belt at an altitude of 1600-2800 m above sea level. It grows in tall grass meadows (in some places it dominates the grass stand), in thickets of bushes, on the edges and clearings of open forests, and goes under the canopy of sparse forests.
Preparation. Ragwort grass is collected during flowering, starting from the budding phase. Cut at a level of 15-20 cm from the soil surface, being careful not to damage the rhizomes, and immediately deliver to the drying site.
It is necessary to distinguish the flat-leaved ragwort from other types of ragwort that do not contain platyphylline, in particular from the morphologically similar species found in the same habitats - rhombifolius (Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip. = Adenostyles macrophylla (Bieb.) Czer.). It is somewhat lower in height (rarely reaches 100 cm), its leaves do not have “ears”, and the baskets are 5-6-flowered.
^ Security measures. Harvesting in the same area is permissible no more than once every 2 years. It is forbidden to tear off the grass with your hands, as this pulls out rhizomes and roots, which leads to the death of plants and the destruction of thickets.
Drying. Thermal drying at a temperature of 45-50 ºС. Either whole raw materials are dried, or before drying they are crushed on straw cutters into pieces up to 3 cm long.
Standardization. FS 42-602-87.
External signs. Whole raw materials. Whole or partially crushed leafy stems with inflorescences and individual leaves. The stems are longitudinally ribbed, from 50 to 150 cm long. The basal and lower stem leaves are long-petiolate, triangular-reniform, pointed at the apex, deeply heart-shaped at the base, unevenly toothed along the edge, up to 20 cm long and up to 40 cm wide. Medium stem leaves the leaves are on short petioles, have large “ears” at the base, similar in shape to the lower ones, but smaller in size. The upper leaves are lanceolate. All leaves are bare above, dark green, pubescent below. At the tops of the stems there are corymbose inflorescences consisting of small yellow tubular flowers enclosed in numerous baskets. The involucre of the baskets is two-row, consisting of 1-3 small subulate-shaped outer leaves and 5-8 inner ones. The smell of raw materials is weak and unpleasant. Taste is not determined (!). Crushed raw materials. Pieces of stems, leaves and inflorescences of various shapes up to 3 cm in size. The color of the raw material is dark or brown-green, with a white core visible at the break of the stem.
Microscopy. Simple multicellular thin-walled hairs of a characteristic whip-shaped shape with a pointed apical cell, located along the veins and the edge of the leaf, are of diagnostic value. The leaf denticles are elongated at the end into a long narrow tongue - a hydathode with large water stomata and a large vascular bundle.
^ Chemical composition. All parts of the flat-leaved godson contain alkaloids derived from pyrrolizidine. The alkaloid platiphylline predominates in the grass; the alkaloid seneciphylline and N-oxides of these alkaloids are found in small quantities. In underground organs, the content of alkaloids is higher than in grass, but due to the depletion of wild grounds of ragwort, rhizomes with roots are not currently harvested.
Storage. Raw materials are stored according to list B. Shelf life is 3 years.
Medicines.
Platyphylline hydrotartrate, powder (substance); tablets 0.005 g; injection solution 0.2%. M-anticholinergic, antispasmodic, sedative.
Platyphylline hydrotartrate is part of combination medications (Tepafillin, Palyufin, etc.).
^ Pharmacotherapeutic group. M-anticholinergic, antispasmodic agent.
Pharmacological properties. Platiphylline has an M-anticholinergic effect. In terms of its effect on peripheral M-cholinergic receptors, it is close to atropine and scopolamine, but less active. Platiphylline excites the heart to a lesser extent and inhibits the secretory activity of the glands, but has a stronger effect than atropine on the M-cholinergic receptors of the autonomic nerve ganglia. It has a moderate calming effect on the central nervous system (vasomotor center). Platiphylline, in addition to its M-anticholinergic effect, has a myotropic antispasmodic effect.
Application. In medical practice, platiphylline hydrotartrate is prescribed for spasms of smooth muscles of the abdominal organs, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and bronchial asthma; the drug also reduces spasms of blood vessels (with hypertension, angina pectoris), spasms of cerebral vessels. In ophthalmic practice it is used to dilate the pupil. Compared with atropine, platyphylline causes moderate mydriasis for 5-6 hours without concomitant paralysis of accommodation. To relieve acute ulcerative pain, as well as intestinal, hepatic, and renal colic, platiphylline is injected under the skin.
During the production of platyphylline, the accompanying alkaloid seneciphylline is isolated, which is used to obtain the drug “Diplacine dichloride” - an antidepolarizing muscle relaxant. The mechanism of action of diplacin is similar to d-tubocurarine. Diplacin is used to facilitate tracheal intubation during endotracheal anesthesia and for more complete muscle relaxation during surgical interventions under anesthesia with artificial ventilation lungs. It is also used to immobilize the eyeball in ophthalmic surgery.
^ Numerical indicators. Whole raw materials. The content of platyphylline base, determined photocolorimetrically, is not less than 0.3%; humidity no more than 14%; total ash no more than 11%; organic impurity no more than 2%; mineral impurity no more than 1%. Crushed raw materials. The content of platyphylline base, determined photocolorimetrically, is not less than 0.3%; humidity no more than 14%; total ash no more than 11%; particles larger than 3 cm no more than 10%; organic impurity no more than 2%; mineral impurity no more than 1%.
Medicinal plant materials containing alkaloids of the piperidine group
^ SHOOTS OF ANABASIS - CORMI ANABASIDIS
Leafless Anabasis - Anabasis aphylla L.
Sem. Chenopodiaceae - Chenopodiaceae
Other names: leafless barnyard grass, it-shigek
