Jimsonweed Medicianal Uses

Jimsonweed is a common plant throughout most of North America and has been introduced to Europe and China. It grows in a wide variety of soils. The plant has trumpet-like flowers which vary from white to pink or purple. The seed pods are covered in sharp thorns. However, one of the best identification characteristics is the disgusting odor the plant gives off whenever the plant is broken or crushed.

Jimsonweed is a member of the Nightshade family, which should set-off alarm bells in your head. Jimsonweed causes severe hallucinations. The toxic, hallucinogenic properties are not trivial and can basically make you insane for over a week. And you will likely end up killing yourself even if you don't get a dose strong enough to kill you. Did I mention this stuff can kill you!!!

Even if you THINK you will be smart and careful, consider this. All parts of the jimsonweed plant contain dangerous levels of poisonous alkaloids. The dose supplied by the plant varies by as much as 5X from one plant to the next. So getting the proper dose is not something to be taken lightly. If you take this plant lightly, somebody will end up dead! The problem with this and many drugs is that you have to consume a certain amount to feel any effects and at that point you are dangerously close to the overdose amount. You have been warned.

Jimsonweed is an erect annual that grows into a bush roughly two to four feet tall. The stem is stout, erect, produces numerous leaves, is smooth and pale yellow-green to reddish purple in color. Each fork of the plant will produce one single flower. Flowers are produced throughout the summer months.

The leaves are about 3 to 8 inches long, smooth surface, but a toothed margin. The top of the leaf is darker than the bottom of the leaf. The leaves taste terrible.

Medicinal uses include the following when smoked, an analgesic to render patients unconscious. The effects are also induced through ingestion after boiling the plant to cook it. So although it can be deadly it is used for patients that are about to undergo brutal surgery leads me to list it here.

Also, a paste can be made from the leaves and stems and applied to broken bones or swollen joints to eliminate or reduce pain.