Jimson Weed Toxicity - An Overview

Introduction:

Jimson weed is a poisonous plant that is used in the making of some medicines. However, if it is directly consumed from the plant, it could create toxicity. It can grow along roadsides, waste areas, pastures, gardens, and fertile fields. In addition, it is grown for medicinal purposes. It is the same plant whose fruit is offered to lord shiva for worship by the people of the Hindu community, and they commonly refer to this plant as datura.

In some countries, it is popular among teenagers for its hallucinating effects. Teenagers and younger adults often get to know about its hallucinating effects from the internet, friends, and peers. The Internet contains much misleading information about this poisonous plant where they do not provide information related to its toxic nature and only highlight its hallucinating effects Therefore, teenagers try to consume it out of curiosity, and this results in Jimson weed toxicity.

What Is Jimson Weed?

Jimson weed, or datura stramonium, is a wild plant that is toxic in nature. It is known by several names like thorn apple, devil’s trumpet, devil’s apple, the apple of Peru, mad apple, tolache, stinkweed, and the green dragon. It generally grows between May to September. This poisonous plant contains some substances that are harmful to the body, for example, atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine.

Teenagers commonly misuse it as a drug because of its hallucinogenic properties. The entire plant is toxic in nature. However, the leaves and seeds are considered the most toxic. The plant is usually two to three feet long and wide.

The leaves are large in size and heart-shaped with wavy margins. The flowers of the Jimson weed plant are white or purple in color, and the fruit is spiky, hard, green in color, and has four compartments containing many seeds. Consumption of seed, fruit, leaves, or flower can result in Jimson weed toxicity which can be life-threatening.

What Is the History of the Jimson Weed Plant?

The Jimson weed plant was used by the British troops in 1676 in Jamestown, which was the first town of the British in America. They accidentally made a boiled salad from the Jimson weed plant. And suffered an altered mental state. Therefore, the plant was named Jamestown weed plant, and over time, the name was changed to a Jimson weed plant.

What Is Jimson Weed Toxicity?

Jimson weed toxicity refers to the poisoning caused by the consumption of the Jimson weed plant. It is mostly consumed as a drink or tea made from leaves; some people smoke cigarettes made from Jimson weed, and some directly consume its seeds to hallucinate. Because of its hallucinating effects, it is often called a hallucinating plant. Ingestion of datura can lead to serious mental conditions that will need hospitalization.

How Much Jimson Weed Is Fatal?

Each fruit of the Jimson weed plant contains approximately 100 seeds, and these seeds contain six milligrams of atropine. A dose of atropine greater than ten milligrams is thought to be possibly fatal. Therefore, around 15 to 25 grams of seeds and 15 to 100 grams of Jimson weed leaves are considered fatal.

What Are the Signs And Symptoms of Jimson Weed Toxicity?

Because the alkaloids in Jimson weed slow gastrointestinal motility (the flow of food through the digestive tract and out of the body), Jimson weed poisoning symptoms typically appear 30 to 60 minutes after consumption and may last for 24 to 48 hours. This toxicity causes the typical symptoms of atropine toxicity. The symptoms of Jimson weed toxicity are as follows:

• Extremely dry mouth.

• The patient feels thirsty.

• The mucous membrane becomes dry.

• The patient may feel difficulty in talking and swallowing.

• Eyes become dilated.

• Blurred vision can occur.

• Unable to urinate or urinary retention.

• A rapid increase in heartbeat and pulse rate.

• Blood pressure may rise or fall.

• Jerky movements can occur.

• Body temperature may increase.

• Seizures can occur.

• The altered mental status is called delirium, in which the patient becomes confused and unaware of the surrounding environment.

• Hallucinations in which patients see or hear imaginary objects or sounds.

• Psychosis.

• Patients can even go into a coma.

• The patient may have difficulty in breathing.

• The bowel sounds will be decreased.

Jimson weed toxicity is usually seen in groups of teenagers as they consume it in groups to experience hallucinations. The cases of Jimson weed toxicity are more evident from the end of the summer season to the beginning of the fall because the plant is at its most toxic at this time.

How to Prevent Jimson Weed Toxicity?

Jimson weed toxicity can be prevented only by awareness. As it is frequently used by teenagers out of curiosity, parents should educate their children about the poisonous effects of the Jimson weed plant. Children should be informed that this plant can result in life-threatening conditions.

In addition, the children should be taught not to accept any drinks intended to get them euphoric or to change their mood. Always remind them that even plants can be poisonous and be aware of any peer group who uses Jimson weed for hallucination.

How Is Jimson Weed Toxicity Treated?

The treatment of Jimson Weed toxicity requires hospitalization. It is considered an emergency medical condition. The treatment involves the following:

• Administration of activated charcoal for gastric (stomach) decontamination. It can be administered through mouth or tube and is done to remove the consumed toxin from the gastrointestinal tract.

• Vomiting is induced to expel the poison.

• Restlessness is controlled by sedating the patient with benzodiazepines.

• The increased body temperature is controlled by administering fluids and cooling methods.

• Beta-blockers are given to control the increased heart rate.

• Physostigmine medicine is used to control seizures, severe hypertension, and hallucination, which is considered an antidote for this type of poisoning (anticholinergic toxicity).

Conclusion

Jimson Weed toxicity is caused by the consumption of the poisonous plant Jimsonweed. It is misused by young adults and teenagers for hallucination. It can lead to serious mental and physical health conditions. Although death from this toxicity is very rare, it can result in coma or psychological problems in the future as it badly affects the brain.