Datura metel ,Thorn apple, Hindu datura , metel
Datura metel
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Common name:- Thorn apple, Hindu datura or metel
Family:- Solanaceae
Medicinal_uses
Thorn apple is a bitter narcotic plant that relieves pain and encourages healing. It has a long history of use as a herbal medicine, being especially well-known as a treatment for chest complaints, including asthma, cough, tuberculosis and bronchitis. It is a very poisonous plant, however, and is subject to legal restrictions in some countries. It should be used with extreme caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner since all parts of the plant are very poisonous and the difference between a medicinal dose and a toxic dose is very small. Excess doses cause giddiness, dry mouth, hallucinations, coma amd death. The plant contains the alkaloids hyoscyamine, hyoscine and atropine. Total alkaloid content of the leaves is 0.426%, which is mainly atropine. The seeds contain 0.426% alkaloids, which is mainly hyoscyamine. The roots contain 0.35% hyoscyamine. The alkaloid content in tetraploid plants is almost double that of diploid plants.
Caution
However, the ingestion of Datura metel in any form is dangerous and should be treated with extreme caution. According to Drug & Cosmetic Act 1940 & Rule 1995, Datura metel is banned in India for use in Ayurvedic medicine
Reference
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