DATURA ------ From Cunningham's _Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs_ : "Datura spp. POISON. Folk names: Devil's apple, Ghost flower, Jimsonweed, Love-Will, Mad Apple, Madherb, Manicon, Stinkweed, Sorcer's Herb, Thornapple, Toloache, Witches' Thimble, Yerba del Diablo. 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: ------------- Dautra is used to break spells by sprinling 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 towards the nearest wall. A few datura leaves placed on the crown of the hat protects the wearer from apoplexy as well as sunstroke. Datura is extremely poisonous-do not eat. Sensitive skin may be irritated simply by touching the plant." pp 89-90 From Deadly Beautiful, by Laurence Gadd: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Of the Solanaceae Family Name: Effect Location Datura arborea L. S. America Datura fastuosa L. F. P. Tr. Old World Datura ferox L. China Datura Metel L. Nar. Tropic Americas Datura meteloides DC. Nar. W. North America Datura sanguinea Nar. P. S. America Datura Stramonium Hyp Cosm Tropic Datura suaveolens Hyp. Datura tatula L. Hyp Cosm Tropics ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ F. P. = Fish Posion Nar. = Narcotic Hyp. = Hypnotic