What Is a Thorn Apple?

Identification

• Thorn apples have white flowers somewhat resembling half-open morning glories, and deeply-veined sharp-toothed leaves on a three to six foot tall bushy plant. The seed pods, which give the plant its name, are thorny, green and egg-shaped, about the size of a walnut.

Types

• Thorn apples, though also called Jimson weed, stinkweed, angel's trumpet, moonflower and Jamestown weed, are all of a single genus--Datura, which is part of the nightshade plant family.

Properties

• Like all daturas, thorn apple has hallucinogenic properties stemming from its severe anticholinergic, or choline-blocking, properties. Its effect on choline also makes it an effective way to treat many disorders, including asthma and urinary tract disorders.

Warnings

• Thorn apple, though it has been used historically as a medicine, is also a deadly poison if administered improperly. Its seeds and fresh leaves are particularly high in the deliriants atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine. While it is possible to use thorn apple as a recreational drug, it is described as generally unpleasant as it has little euphoric effect.

Benefits

• Thorn apple has historically been blended with other herbs and smoked to treat asthma. Its derivative atropine is used to treat a number of conditions, including shock and cardiac arrest.