Datura

Solanaceae Datura and Brugmansia species as Sacred Plants and Medicines

Once upon a time a long, long time ago, a boy called A'neglakya and his sister A'neglakyatsi-tsa lived deep within the Earth. As often as they could they came up to the surface to go on long walks, exploring the land, watching and listening carefully to all and everything they encountered on their journeys. Upon their return they told their mother about everything they had seen. However, one day the twin-sons of the Sun-god grew suspicious of them and they wondered what they should do about the inquisitive pair. Soon after, A'neglakya and his sister were once again on one of their walkabouts, when they came upon the sons of the Sun-god. Casually the twins inquired about their well-being: "We are very happy" was the reply, and A'neglakya told the twins how he and his sister could make people fall asleep and have visionary dreams or let them 'see' the whereabouts of lost objects. Upon hearing this the twins decided that the two definitely knew too much and that they should put an end to A'neglakya's and A'neglakyatsi-tsa's doings. That day the sons of the Sun-god let the brother and sister disappear into the Earth forever. But lo and behold, two beautiful flowers emerged from the ground in just the same spot where the two had vanished. They were the same flowers that the brother and sister had laid on the heads of the people to give them visions. In their memory the Gods called the flower A'neglakya and their children spread far across the Earth - bringing visions to many people.

This Zuni legend about the origin of Datura also provides an insight into the nature of it's essential character. A'neglakya and his sister could 'make people fall asleep and have visionary dreams'. Since time immemorial various Datura species have been revered as sacred visionary plants by practically all cultures who have come into contact with it. There are many different species in this genus: Datura alba, Datura bernhardii, Datura ceratocaula, Datura discolor, Datura ferox, Datura inoxia, Datura insignis, Datura leichhardtii, Datura metel, Datura nanakai, Datura parajuli, Datura pruinosa, Datura quercifolia, Datura stramonium, Datura tatula, Datura wrightii. (Datura including synonyms and varieties.) This article also includes references to the closely related Brugmansia, often called "Tree Datura". Datura distribution spans all warm and tropical regions of the world. Daturas usually grow as herbaceous annuals/perennials whilst the, South American, Brugmansias grow into trees. The most striking feature, shared by all species are the beautiful trumpet-like flowers, ranging in color from white to pinkish purple, and in some varieties even to bright golden yellow and red. The flowers exude a beautiful, narcotic scent, especially at night. The seed capsules of the Datura species are typically the size of a walnut and are covered with thorns that may become quite sharp and spiky as the plant matures. The appearance of these seed-capsules has given rise to the English common name, 'Thornapple' and the German 'Stechapfel'. When the 'apple' is ripe the capsule opens up into four segments, thus releasing its little black to pale-brown seeds. The Brugmansia fruits are more succulent and usually have a smooth surface. The seeds are similar colours, sharply angular and generally larger than those of Datura (approx. 0.75 cm).

Because of the far-reaching distribution of Datura species across the planet there is some dispute concerning their origin. The greatest variety of species occurs in Mexico and Central America which has led some Botanists to believe that the explorers of the New World had been responsible for bringing Daturas back to Europe, along with other members of the nightshade family. Other sources suggest that their original home could be found somewhere in the vicinity of the Caspian Sea from where it spread south to Africa and east to Asia, eventually arriving in Europe, supposedly with the gypsies sometime during the Middle Ages.

It appears that Daturas have always played a significant role as 'culture plants' and evidence regarding their uses both in Asia and in the New World dates back at least 3000 years. In both hemispheres Daturas were regarded as sacred and especially valued for their power to induce visionary dreams, to see the future and to reveal the causes of disease and misfortune.

All over the New World, from the southwestern corner of North America, throughout Mexico as well as in Central and South America the historical and contemporary uses of the local Datura species (Datura inoxia, Datura stramonium, Datura tatula, Datura ferox, Datura ceratocaula, and Datura discolor) by the indigenous population is well documented. In South American regions Brugmansias are more common, tending to take the place of Daturas, in sacred and medicinal roles. From historical accounts recorded by the Conquistadors we know that the Aztecs, who had a detailed knowledge about numerous sacred and medicinal plants, were familiar with several types of Datura species. One of these Daturas was called Toloache and is probably Datura inoxia. It was used as a painkiller in certain initiation rituals and given as a narcotic to the ritual sacrifices. For this purpose the preferred method of administration was either by enema or as a rolled-up leaf suppository which reduces some of the less pleasant side effects of the drug. Another type of Datura (Datura ceratocaula), called Atlinan by the Aztecs, enjoyed a particularly sacred status. It was regarded as the sister of Ololuiqui, another sacred hallucinogenic plant. These plants were so sacred that only the priests were allowed to use them. With their help they held counsel with the Gods - divining the outcome of future events, discovering the whereabouts of lost or stolen objects and prognosticating the causes of diseases, especially if black magic was suspected. As a medicinal remedy they prepared an ointment for cracked soles and injured feet, made plasters for ulcers, pustules and infected wounds and skin sores, and used it for poultices to treat rheumatic aches and pains.

In many areas of South America various Brugmansia species are cultivated and used in much the same way as Datura species are elsewhere. To this day the ground seeds are mixed into the Chicha, the sacramental corn beer (Zea mays) found everywhere on that continent. The combination of Datura seeds and alcoholic drinks appears to be a global phenomena. It is a documented practice amongst all kinds of unrelated tribes throughout the Americas, was practiced in China (mixed with wine), and even became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages (mixed into beer). Whilst in the New World the beverage was generally used within a ritual context, in the Old World the brews were generally consumed for more recreational purposes.

In the Andes Datura (probably Datura arborea = Brugmansia arborea) is known as Chamico. Here, as in other parts of South America it is taken as a tea or smoked to induce visions. Apart from its sacred significance it is also regarded as one of the most ancient healing herbs. It is thought that the ancient Peruvian healers and shamans employed "Datura's" narcotic and anesthetic properties when performing ritual or medical operations (e.g. skull trepanations).

The Auruks who are at home in present day Chile still use Datura in much the same way as their ancestors did. It not only plays a significant role as a shamanic plant but is also widely used as medicine. They even give a brew of the leaves (Datura ferox) to unruly children - trusting in the powerful plant-spirit to teach the children a good measure of respect. The Jivaros prepare a drink with roasted maize and the juice of Brugmansia sanguinea fruits for the same purpose.

The Shamans and Brujos of the New World know how to use the plant for astral travel. In this context Datura not only provides a visionary journey but also facilitates the shape-shifting process. Transformations into birds seem to be especially closely associated with the shamanic use of Datura.

In the Amazon various species of Brugmansia are used either alone or as an additive to Ayahuasca, the most important sacred visionary brew of that area. Ayahuasca preparations are commonly used for initiation rites, healing ceremonies and shamanic journeying. The Jivaros use Brugmansia in initiation rituals to obtain 'an outer soul', a soul that is able to communicate with the ancestor spirits. Medicinally Brugmansias are mainly employed as an external application for rheumatic and arthritic aches, pains and swellings, skin rashes and wounds.

Among some tribes of the Sibundoy region Brugmansia is mixed in with the dog-food as part of an ancient hunting magic ritual. It is believed that in this way the dogs too will partake in the visionary powers of the plant which will help them to 'see' the prey more easily.

Carlos Castaneda learned about Datura from his mentor Don Juan. The wise old brujo was never too fond of the 'devil's weed', claiming its power as like that of a woman. "She is as powerful as the best of allies, but there is something I personally don't like about her." he tells his pupil, "She distorts men. She gives them a taste of power too soon without fortifying their hearts and makes them domineering and unpredictable. She makes them weak in the middle of their great power."

Nevertheless he instructed Castaneda in the preparation and uses of all parts of the plant, roots, leaves, flowers and seeds. According to Don Juan each part has a different power which must be conquered in its own special way. He taught Castaneda the secrets of 'lizard divination' in which the use of Datura plays a central role. In this method two lizards are caught and specially prepared for the ritual. Whilst under the influence of the Datura preparation the diviner asks the lizards to help find the answer to his question. One of the reptiles is sent away to search for clues, whilst the other remains sitting on the shoulder of the diviner, whispering in his ear all that the wandering lizard is seeing and experiencing.

Don Juan also taught his pupil how to approach the plant properly and how to ask permission from the plant-spirit before digging it up. He was very particular about these details and told Castaneda never to use an iron tool when digging up Datura. Only by using a branch of a special tree-friend of the plant could one be sure that the plant would not be unduly hurt and thus would be more likely to act beneficially and friendly in the subsequent encounter. This taboo regarding the use of iron tools when digging up a particular plant is encountered frequently in association with magical and medicinal plants (e.g. mandrake, ginseng and many others) It points to the extremely ancient use of that plant - dating back to times before the first iron was ever cast.



The native people of the southwestern regions of North America also hold Datura sacred. Here it is mostly Datura inoxia and Datura inoxia ssp inoxia (syn: Datura meteloides) that are used for magical and medicinal purposes. In Zuni tradition it belongs to the rain-priests who use the root (Datura inoxia) when they appeal to their ancestor-spirits for rain. Sometimes they also sprinkle a little powdered root into their eyes in order to communicate with 'the feathered ones' at night.

The Chumash people of California regarded Datura (Datura metel) as their 'Culture Plant'. According to their Cosmology the world was originally inhabited by 'the First People', supernatural beings who were regarded as the tribal ancestors. The world of the First People was destroyed by a primal flood which transformed these ancestors into all the birds, animals and plants of today. Among the First People was an old Grandmother known as 'Momoy', who had the gift of clairvoyance. When the flood came she was transformed into the Datura plant. The descendants of the First People (i.e. the Chumash) can share in her gift of clairvoyance by partaking of her sacrament. According to the myth, Momoy washes her hands in water and the Initiate drinks the resulting liquid. Thereupon he falls into a deep sleep in which he meets his animal-spirit helper, communicates with his ancestors or has visionary dreams about his future.

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Datura or Brugmansia

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Mary Lambert's poem "Moonflower"

Entheogens, Seeds of Sacred and Psychotropic Plant Species
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Botanical information, common names, notes associated with this article, and bibliography.

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Angel trumpets - pictures of Brugmansia and Datura species and varieties.

B and T World Seeds' Ethnobotanical, Environmental and Economic plant catalogues.

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Common names:

Brugmansia

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