Jimsonweed

Jimsonweed, aka Devils Trumpet, is a part of the deadly nightshade family. It grows throughout many regions of the world as a 1-5 foot tall plant with large, toothy leaves of various green shades, whitish roots, and yellow-green branching stems. This plant also produces night-blooming, trumpet shaped flowers throughout the summer months that range from a cream color to shades of violet.

The fruit produced by Jimsonweed comes in a prickly capsule full of many black seeds. Despite being highly toxic, it has been used in the form of tinctures to treat respiratory ailments such as asthma, cough, flu, and more. It was also used as a form of anesthia in China. However, the Native American tribes had many ceremonial uses for this plant. They would injest infusions to induce visions for ceremonies such as rites of manhood, fortelling outcomes, prophetic dreams, and other visionary quests.

The Native Americans also used Jimsonweed for medicinal purposes in small doses including sore limbs, arthritis, swelling, and, in some cases, to heal broken bones. In modern times, Jimsonweed is mainly used in rituals and ceremonies. Some uses include divination, astal travel, dreamwork, hex breaking, sleep, protection, spirit flight/flying ointment, and the breaking of chains. Injesting Jimsonweed is not recommended. Side effects include but are not limited to: loss of consciousness, hallucinations, nausea and vomiting, seizures, breathing problems, and, in some cases, death.