(Datura stramonium, D. metel, D. spp.)
Poison Datura is extremely poisonous—do
not eat! Sensitive skin may be irritated simply
by touching the plant.
Folk Names: Devil’s Apple, Ghost Flower,
Jimsonweed, Love-Will, Mad Apple,
Madherb, Manicon, Stinkweed, Sorcerer’s
Herb, Thornapple, Toloache, Witches’
Thimble, Yerba del Diablo (Spanish: Herb
of the Devil)
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Element: Water
Powers: Hex-Breaking, Sleep, Protection
Ritual Uses: Datura has been used in shamanic
practices and religious rites for
untold centuries. The Aztecs considered
the plant to be sacred.
Magical Uses: Datura is used to break spells
by sprinkling it around the home. It also
protects against evil spirits. If insomnia
persists night after night, it may be cured
by placing some datura leaves into each
shoe and then setting the shoes under
the bed with the toes pointing toward the
nearest wall.
A few datura leaves placed on the crown
of a hat protects the wearer from apoplexy
as well as sunstroke.