Chinese herbal medicine Datura metel is produced in Taiwan, Sichuan, Yunnan, and other regions. It is also known as searching mountain tiger and earthworm datura. It has the functions of promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, killing insects, and relieving itching. However, it should be noted that Datura metel should not be taken internally!
【Identification of Datura metel】
Datura metel is a perennial herbaceous plant that can grow up to 50 centimeters tall and has white latex when broken. The root is cylindrical and unbranched, with a dark brown outer skin and a yellow-white inner surface.
The leaves are alternate, oblong, 4.5-6.5 centimeters long and 1 centimeter wide, with a blunt apex and a wedge-shaped base. They have entire margins and no petiole. The flowers are usually 6-8, born at the top of the stem or singly in the leaf axils, and are pale yellow in color.
The capsule is spherical, with a diameter of about 1.3 centimeters, and has soft spines on the outside. It splits into 3 chambers when mature. The flowering period is in summer, and it grows on mountain grasslands.
The root is cylindrical, conical to fusiform, with a diameter of 1-8 cm. It has a yellow-brown outer skin with longitudinal wrinkles. It is powdery, and the cross-section is yellow-white with alternating concave and convex concentric rings.
【Taboos of Datura metel】
Datura metel has the functions of promoting bowel movements, diuresis, external use for stopping bleeding and relieving itching. It is used for edema, ascites caused by liver cirrhosis, external use for treating bleeding wounds, lymph node tuberculosis, bruises, swelling and pain, skin itching, and tinea.
Datura metel should not be taken internally. When harvesting, avoid the juice from coming into contact with the skin, as it may cause allergic reactions, with symptoms such as facial swelling.
This product is highly toxic and should be taken internally with extreme caution. Poisoning can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, irritability, and decreased blood pressure. In severe cases, dizziness, unsteady walking, and spasms may occur.
Emergency treatment methods: 1. Gastric lavage, administration of sedatives, and intravenous fluids; 2. Licorice and dried ginger, 9 grams each, mung beans, 15 grams, decocted and taken orally.
