Datura metel - Dhatura

Dhatura, Datura metel

Dhaturais a toxic shrub that can be found growing on roadsides and wastelands. Although toxic, thorn apple is a popular traditional medicine and is commonly harvested from the wild for local use. It is sold in markets, both for traditional use and as a source of compounds for the pharmaceutical industry. The plant is also used as a pesticide and repellent. It is often grown as an ornamental in tropical to temperate areas of the world, particularly types with double flowers and purple flowers.

Uses

Inflammation, Skin disorders, Asthma, fever, Arthritis, Wound healing

Parts Used

Root, Leaves, Flower, Seeds

Common names,

Language	Common name
Kannada	biliyummatta, dathuri, datthoora, unmatta
Hindi	dhattura,
Malayalam	mudela-nila-hummatu, ummattu
Tamil	unmattam, vellaiyumattai,
Telugu	tella-ummetha, duthooramu, ummettha
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	dhatura, dhurta, ghantapuspa, shivapriya
English	Datura, thorn apple

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Rasa

Laghu (Light). Rooksha (Dry)

Guna

Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Habit

Shrub

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
Simple	alternate	Leaves entire or angled with acute lobes, c. 12 x 8 cm, ovate, base oblique, apex acute or acuminate; petiole to 6 cm long. Flowers solitary in axil, erect; pedicels 1-1.5 cm long. Calyx 6-8 cm long, tubular, 5-lobed, minutely pubescent

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Bisexual	axillary	Creamy white	5	Corolla creamy-white, c. 15 cm long, funnel-shaped; teeth 5, cuspidate. Stamens 5, attached towards the base of corolla tube, included, subequal; filaments hairy at base

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
A capsule	3 cm	spherical, covered with short spines, dehiscence irregular.	Seeds compressed, c. 5 mm long, smooth, brown.		{{{6}}}

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

Commonly seen growing in areas

Tropical area, Sub tropical area

Photo Gallery

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  Flower

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  Buds

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  Leaves

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  'Double Blackcurrant Swirl'

External Links

• Datura metel on easyayurveda.com
• http://www.jahm.in/index.php/JAHM/article/view/490/0 Datura metel on www.jahm.in]