Daturae Folia, I.C.A. Datura Leaves.
Related entries: Belladonna Leaves - Belladonna Root - Atropine - Atropine Salicylate - Atropine Sulphate - Datura Leaves - Datura Seeds - Stramonium - Daturine - Hyoscyamus Leaves - Hyoscyamus Seeds - Hyoscyamine Sulphate - Scopola
Datura leaves are obtained from Datura fastuosa, Linn., var. alba, Nees, and of Datura Metel, Linn. (N.O. Solanaceae), annual plants indigenous to India. The leaves are ovate in shape, unequal at the base, and acuminate at the apex. The petioles are long, and the margin sinuate-dentate, with a few spreading teeth. The larger leaves are 17 to 20 centimetres in length, and 10 to 12.5 centimetres broad. They are brownish or yellowish-green in colour, brittle, and bear scattered, simple and stalked glandular hairs. The trumpet-shaped corolla, together with the stamens, is sometimes present. The drug has a slight unpleasant odour, and a bitter taste.
Constituents.—The chief constituent of the leaves is 0.5 per cent. of hyoscine (scopolamine), only traces of hyoscyamine and atropine being present.
Action and Uses.—Datura leaves are used in India and in the Eastern and West Indian Colonies as an equivalent of belladonna and stramonium leaves. Datura cigarettes, as sold in this country for smoking in cases of asthma, are usually prepared from the leaves of Datura Stramonium and Datura Tatula.
