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Jimson weed)
Datura stramonium is the name of a poisonous weed, sometimes used as a hallucinogen. Commonly called Thorn Apple. Datura stramonium is classified as a deleriant , or an anticholinergic. It grows over almost all of the contiguous 48 states in the US.
In the US it is called Jimson Weed, stinkweed (because of its stinky smell), or more rarely Jimpson Weed; it got this name from the town of Jamestown, Virginia, where British soldiers were secretly drugged with it (in their salad), while attempting to stop the Bacon's Rebellion. They spent several days chasing feathers, making monkey faces, generally acting like lunatics, and indeed failed at their mission.
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The History and Present State of Virginia, 1705
by Robert Beverly
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...some of the soldiers sent thither to quell the rebillion of Bacon (1676); and some of them ate plentifully of it, the effect of which was a very pleasant comedy, for they turned natural fools upon it for several days: one would blow up a feather in the air; another would dart straws at it with much fury; and another, stark naked, was sitting up in a corner like a monkey, grinning and making mows [grimaces] at them; a fourth would fondly kiss and paw his companions, and sneer in their faces with a countenance more antic than any in a Dutch droll.
In this frantic condition they were confined, lest they should, in their folly, destroy themselves- though it was observed that all their actions were full of innocence and good nature. Indeed, they were not very cleanly; for they would have wallowed in their own excrements, if they had not been prevented. A thousand such simple tricks they played, and after 11 days returned themselves again, not remembering anything that had passed.
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In the 1600s, probably 1607, starving settlers, in desperation, attempted to eat the known toxic plants by repeatedly boiling them. The toxins were diluted enough to prevent death, but the settlers were dazed from the drug's effect for days.
Amerindians have also used this plant as a spiritual tool, in shamanism and other mystical ceremonies.
A member of the nightshade family, this plant is occasionally used by teenagers as a cheap alternative to illegal drugs. It is not illegal, though a few states do have some laws regulating its consumption. It is typically consumed as a sort of herb tea, though it can also be eaten or smoked. Overall, it has a very low demand as a recreational drug, because it has a reputation as a very poor/unpleasant high.
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Last updated: 08-27-2005 10:23:10
