Datura Root: A Medicinal Plant with Hemostatic and Insecticidal Effects
The root of Datura, a plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, is known as Datura Root. It has medicinal properties such as promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, and relieving itching. It grows in rocky crevices and mountain grasslands, mainly found in Yunnan and other regions. Now let's take a look at the symptoms of Datura Root poisoning.
【Identification of Datura Root】
Datura Root, also known as Five Tigers Descending from the West Mountain and Mountain Tiger. It is a perennial herb that can grow up to 50 centimeters tall and has white latex when broken. The root is cylindrical, unbranched, and has a black-brown outer skin and a yellow-white inner surface.
The leaves are alternate, oblong-shaped, 4.5-6.5 centimeters long and 1 centimeter wide, with blunt tips and wedge-shaped bases. They are entire and sessile. The flowers are usually 6-8 in number and are born at the top of the stem or singly in the leaf axils. They are pale yellow in color.
The capsule is spherical, about 1.3 centimeters in diameter, with soft spines on the surface and 3 compartments that rupture when mature. It blooms in summer and grows on mountain grasslands. It is mainly distributed in Yunnan and other regions.
【Preparation of Datura Root】
In autumn and winter, the roots are dug up, washed to remove dirt, soaked in rice water for 3 days, then soaked in lime water for another 3 days. After that, they are taken out, washed to remove lime, boiled in a pot for 2 hours, and then sliced and dried.
The roots of Datura Root are cylindrical, conical, or spindle-shaped, with a diameter of 1-8 centimeters. They have a yellow-brown outer skin with longitudinal wrinkles. The texture is powdery, and the cross-section is yellow-white, with alternating convex and concave concentric rings. It has a warm nature, and its taste is pungent and bitter. It is highly toxic.
Avoid contact with the sap during harvesting, as it can cause allergic reactions. It is not recommended for pregnant women and those with weak constitution.
【Symptoms of Datura Root Poisoning】
1. "Dian Nan Ben Cao" (a traditional Chinese medicine book): "The white and green stems are effective, while the purple stem is ineffective."
2. "Yunnan Medicinal Plants": "Avoid contact with the sap to prevent allergic reactions, which may cause facial swelling."
3. "Commonly Used Folk Medicinal Plants in Kunming": Datura Root contains daturanol, saponins, butyric acid, alkaloids, and Toxicodendron glycosides, among other substances.
Symptoms of poisoning: abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, irritability, and decreased blood pressure. In severe cases, dizziness, instability, and convulsions may occur.
Emergency treatment methods: 1. Gastric lavage, sedation, and intravenous fluid administration. 2. Drink a decoction of three qian of almonds. 3. Drink a decoction of white coltsfoot. 4. Drink a decoction of three qian of licorice, five qian of mung beans, and three qian of dried ginger.
