How toxic is it really?

The earlier use of the thorn apple as an intoxicant

In the cultures of many indigenous peoples, parts and extracts of the thorn apple were used as a drug in ritual acts because of their hallucinogenic effects. In Europe, too, the thorn apple was known in the Middle Ages as the magic herb of faith healers and as a coercive drug in prostitution. However, the intoxication effect is overshadowed in most cases by the high effectiveness of the toxins, which is why the Roman writer Pliny used the thorn apple as the basis for the production of spear poisons described. The poisonous effect has also manifested itself in the following slang terms for the thorn apple:

• Sleeping herb
• Witch herb
• Madweed
• Devil's apple

The toxins contained in the thorn apple and their effects

The following toxins are particularly highly concentrated in the seeds of the thorn apple, but also in all other parts of the plants:

• Atropine
• Scopolamine
• Hyoscyamine

In addition, there are other toxic substances in smaller quantities, which can lead to the following symptoms even in minimal doses:

• Skin irritation
• confusion
• Restlessness
• Visual disturbances
• cramps
• Fits of rage
• Death from respiratory failure

Precautions when cultivating the thorn apple

In the meantime there are attempts to reduce the concentration of the toxins contained in cultivated forms of the thorn apple for cultivation in the garden or to eliminate them entirely. However, in case of doubt, you should refrain from growing the thorn apple if you regularly accommodate children playing or free-roaming pets in your garden. Also note that the annual thorn apple due to its great Seed count by itself after the first cultivation multiply strongly can.