Chinese medicine Datura root is the root of the Euphorbiaceae plant Datura, also known as Datura stramonium, earth gua wolf poison. The whole plant of Datura contains white latex and has the effects of stopping bleeding, anti-inflammatory, and reducing swelling. However, Datura itself is toxic. Let's learn about the symptoms of Datura poisoning and its first aid methods.
Picture of Datura
Datura Identification
Datura is a perennial herbaceous plant that can grow up to 50 centimeters tall and has white latex when broken. The root is cylindrical, unbranched, and has a dark brown outer skin; the inner surface is yellowish-white.
The leaves are solitary and alternate; elliptic, measuring 4.5 to 6.5 centimeters in length and 1 centimeter in width, with a blunt apex and a wedge-shaped base, and have entire margins; they are sessile. The flowers are usually 6 to 8 in number, borne at the top of the stem or singly in the leaf axils; pale yellow in color.
The capsule is spherical, about 1.3 centimeters in diameter, with soft spines on the outside, and splits into 3 chambers when mature. It flowers in the summer and grows on slopes and grasslands.
The root is cylindrical, conical to fusiform, with a diameter of 1-8cm, yellow-brown outer skin with longitudinal wrinkles. Powdery, the cross-section is yellowish-white, with alternating concave and convex concentric rings.
Picture of Datura
Analysis of Datura's Toxicity
《Dian Nan Ben Cao》: "White and green stems are effective, purple stems are ineffective."
《Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine》: "When harvesting, avoid contact with the juice on the skin, as it can cause allergic reactions and facial swelling."
《Folk Medicinal Plants of Kunming》: "The whole plant of Datura contains euphorbiol, saponin butyric acid, alkaloids, and lacquer toxins.
Poisoning symptoms: abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness, and decreased blood pressure; severe cases may experience dizziness, unsteady walking, and convulsions.
Emergency treatment: 1. Gastric lavage, sedation, and intravenous fluids; 2. Take 3 grams of almond decoction; 3. Take 3 grams of white aconite decoction; 4. Take 3 grams of licorice, 5 grams of mung beans, and 3 grams of dried ginger, decoct and drink."
Picture of Datura
Medicinal Value of Datura
Datura is found in Taiwan, Sichuan, Yunnan, and other places, growing in grasslands, slopes, shrubs, and sparse forests at an altitude of 200-3300 meters.
Datura is used as a traditional Chinese medicine in Yunnan. Its root has the effects of stopping bleeding, anti-inflammatory, dispelling wind, and reducing swelling. It is used to treat symptoms such as ascites caused by liver cirrhosis, itchy skin, and scabies, and has good effects.
《Dian Nan Ben Cao》: "Used for scabies and sores."
《Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine》: "Stops bleeding, anti-inflammatory, reduces swelling. Used to treat trauma bleeding."
《National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine》: "Laxative diuretic, used externally to stop bleeding and itching. Mainly used to treat traumatic bleeding, lymph node tuberculosis, bruises, blood stasis pain, itchy skin, scabies."
