Citation

Herbet M, Jagiello-Wojtowicz E. Acta Toxicol. 2006; 14(1-2): 5-9.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Polish Society of Toxicology)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this paper, thorn apple (Datura stramonium L.) is discussed as a plant with therapeutic, poisoning and intoxicating properties, depicting its use from the earliest times till now. The ancient sources of information provide evidence that the intoxicating properties of thorn apple were then known and commonly applied. During the Middle Ages, extracts from this plant were added as components to the so called witch's ointment and intoxicating beverages. The thorn apple has also been used for suicidal and criminal purposes. At present, the youth more and more often make use of seeds of this plant as an easily obtainable narcotic agent. © Copyright by the Polish Society of Toxicology, 2006.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; intoxication; review; geographic distribution; drug mechanism; nonhuman; offender; history of medicine; narcotic agent; plant seed; Datura stramonium; Datura stramonium L.; History of poisoning; ointment; stramonium; witchcraft