Estramonio de California

Related Terms

Angel trumpet, California jimson weed, devil's trumpet, devil's weed, Datura meteloides, DAWR2, hairy thorn-apple, hierba del diablo, Indian apple, Indian whiskey, manit, momoy, raving nightshade, sacred thorn-apple, sacred thornapple, southwestern thorn apple, Stechapfel, stinkweed, thorn apple, tolguacha, toloache, western jimsonweed, Wright's jimsonweed.
Not included in this review: Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) or Datura suaveolens.

Background

Datura wrightii (California jimson weed), and to a lesser extent, Datura stramonium, are common plants in California in the United States, with a repulsive smell and a harsh, astringent flavor to their leaves. In California, the plant is frequently called jimson weed, which has lead to confusion among scientists and clinicians who may not realize that the plant is actually Datura wrightii, not Datura stramonium.
Datura wrightii has been widely used in California. It is also a potentially dangerous plant that has killed many, especially teenagers. Abuse of the plant has been promoted on the Internet, in books, and by word of mouth.
However, many southwestern Native American cultures used Datura wrightii during puberty ceremonies, specifically to induce visions. It was and continues to be a popular herbal medicine among Native Americans who know how to use it safely. It is sometimes sold in Mexican shops as hierba del diablo.
Use of this plant may cause respiratory depression that may result in death. Datura contains atropine and scopolamine, which may induce visual and auditory hallucinations, confusion, panic, and other conditions.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
In general, there is no proven safe of effective dose of California jimson weed (Datura wrightii). Certain chemicals in California jimson weed, such as l-hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and atropine, have been used for a variety of conditions. For gastrointestinal problems, Parkinson's disease, rhinitis, or urinary tract infections, l-hyoscyamine has been administered in doses of 0.125-0.25 milligrams, three or four times daily.
Atropine has been administered in doses of 0.4-0.6 milligrams for heart conditions, respiratory infections, or tremors. This corresponds to about the amount of atropine in 4-6 seeds. However, it is important to remember that the seeds also contain scopolamine and other tropane alkaloids.
Scopolamine has been administered in doses of 0.4-0.8 milligrams for motion sickness and heart conditions. This corresponds to about the amount of scopolamine in 8-16 seeds.
Atropine has also been applied to the eye to treat eye infections as a 1% ointment or 0.5-2% solution. Scopolamine is applied to the eye as a 0.25% solution. Datura wrightii preparations should not be applied to the eye since they may contain bacteria, fungi and particles.
Approximately 0.25-0.5 milligram l-hyoscyamine has been administered subcutaneously (under the skin), intramuscularly (injected into the muscle) or intravenously (injected into the vein), 2-4 times daily. Scopolamine has been administered as 0.32-0.65 milligram subcutaneously or intramuscularly. It can be given intravenously but must be diluted prior to injection. Datura wrightii preparations should not be used parenterally since they may not be sterile and may contain particles. Injections should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Alcohol causes delirium, respiratory depression and coma. These effects may be additive when taken with Datura wrightii.
Theoretically, Datura wrightii may interact with agents that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Datura wrightii preparations theoretically have all the drug interactions of atropine and scopolamine. These agents are known to have additive anticholinergic effects with amantadine and tricyclic antidepressants, increase the effects of atenolol and digoxin, and decrease the antipsychotic effects while increasing the anticholinergic effects of phenothiazines. Patients taking tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticholingerics or other types of antidepressants should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, before taking Datura wrightii.
Datura wrightii may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Datura wrightii may alter the effects of MAOI antidepressants, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan?), phenelzine (Nardil?), or tranylcypromine (Parnate?).
Emergency room treatment of patients under the influence of Datura wrightii is dangerous. Anesthesia is dangerous to these patients due to the respiratory depression induced by anesthesia. This is additive with the respiratory depression caused by the plant. Several deaths have occurred during anesthesia in these patients.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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