Is Datura poisonous?

Is it suitable to grow Datura at home?

Green flowering plants should generally have a positive impact on indoor air, but Datura is an exception.

Datura is very ornamental and can purify the air, but few people grow it at home because it is not only a highly poisonous plant, but its fragrance also has a hallucinogenic effect. Datura is the main active ingredient in Ma Fei San invented by Hua Tuo, a famous medical scientist during the Three Kingdoms period in my country. Therefore, it is not suitable to be grown indoors. Be careful even when growing outdoors.

Poisoning Principle

Datura flower poisoning is caused by accidental ingestion of Datura seeds, fruits, leaves, and flowers. Its main ingredients are hyoscyamine, atropine, and scopolamine. The above ingredients have the effects of stimulating the central nervous system, blocking the M-choline response system, and antagonizing and paralyzing the parasympathetic nerves. It's actually neurotoxicity.

Symptoms of poisoning

Generally, symptoms appear 0.5-2 hours after eating, beginning with dry mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, rapid pulse, dilated pupils, dry and flushed skin, and fever.

2. Mental symptoms such as delirium, hallucinations, agitation, convulsions, and impaired consciousness may occur 2-6 hours after eating.

3. In severe cases, patients often experience drowsiness, shallow and slow breathing, low blood pressure, and even shock, coma, respiratory paralysis and other critical signs within 12-24 hours.

4. Severe cases may lead to death

Toxic parts

The whole plant is poisonous

The ornamental value and toxicity of Datura are always proportional, which can be said to be a deadly temptation. Be careful when planting at home!