The Tale of Shiva and the Datura Flower

Lord Shiva once had an argument with his wife, Parvati. In his anger, Shiva stormed off into the forest. As night fell, he became tired and decided to rest under a tree. Unknown to him, this tree was a Datura plant.

As Shiva slept, the poisonous nectar from the Datura flowers dripped onto his lips. When he awoke, he found himself in a state of altered consciousness, experiencing vivid visions and a sense of expanded awareness.

Fascinated by this experience, Shiva declared the Datura to be his favorite plant. From that day forward, Datura became sacred to Shiva and was often offered to him by his devotees.

This tale is used to explain why Datura is considered sacred in some Hindu traditions and why it‘s sometimes called “Shiva‘s plant” or “Shiva‘s flower.” It also serves as a cautionary tale about the plant‘s powerful effects.

What is Datura?

Datura is a genus of nine species of poisonous flowering plants belonging to the nightshade family, Solanaceae. These plants are known for their trumpet-shaped flowers and spiny fruit, earning them common names such as “moonflower,” “devil's snare,” and “jimsonweed.” Native to warm and temperate regions of the Americas, Datura species have now spread to many parts of the world.

The most well-known species, Datura stramonium, is a hardy annual plant that can grow up to 3-5 feet tall. Its large, white or purple flowers open in the evening, emitting a sweet fragrance that attracts night-flying moths. All parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids, including atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine, which are responsible for both its toxic effects and its historical use in traditional medicine and spiritual practices.

Across cultures, Datura has acquired a multitude of names reflecting its perceived properties and effects. In India, it's known as “dhatura” and is associated with the god Shiva. Native American tribes referred to it as “sacred datura” or “toloache.” In medieval Europe, it was sometimes called “witch‘s thimble” due to its association with magical practices. The variety of names underscores the plant's widespread cultural significance, as well as its notorious reputation.

Historical Uses

1. Traditional medicine: Various cultures have used Datura in traditional medicine practices, though this is now known to be very risky.
2. Rituals and divination: Some indigenous cultures in the Americas used Datura in religious ceremonies and for alleged divinatory purposes.
3. Poisons: Historically, it has been used as a poison due to its toxic properties.

Where did the name Jimsonweed come from?

Picture the early American colonies. It’s 1676 in Jamestown, Virginia. A cook who was preparing dinner for the soldiers mistook Datura for something edible and served it to everyone. The soldiers lived, but began hallucinating and acting foolish for several days. The plant was identified and called Jamestown weed, and through slang and accents, eventually Jimsonweed.

Magical uses in folklore:

1. Visionary experiences: Some cultures believed Datura could induce prophetic visions or communication with spirits.
2. Love spells: In some folk magic traditions, it was thought to have aphrodisiac properties.
3. Protection: Some believed it could ward off evil spirits or negative energies.
4. Astral projection: There are claims of its use in attempts at out-of-body experiences.

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Saturn

Element: Water

Powers: Hex-Breaking, Sleep, Protection

(Correspondences from Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)

Use of Datura across cultures

Hindu culture:

• In India, Datura is associated with the god Shiva
• It has been used in some Ayurvedic preparations, though this is now discouraged due to its toxicity
• Historically used in some religious rituals

Native American cultures:

• The Chumash people of California used it in coming-of-age rituals
• The Aztecs reportedly used it for medicinal purposes and in religious ceremonies
• Some Plains first nations peoples incorporated it into sacred rituals
• The Mixe in Oaxaca, Mexico believed it contained the spirit of an elderly woman and often referred to Datura as “Grandmother.”

European witchcraft traditions:

• Datura was one of the plants associated with "flying ointments" in medieval European folklore
• It was believed to have magical properties related to divination and spirit communication

Chinese traditional medicine:

• Known as "yangjinhua," it was sometimes used in traditional remedies
• It was believed to have properties useful for treating asthma and pain

West African traditions:

• In some areas, it was used in traditional medicine and believed to have spiritual properties
• Some folkloric uses involved attempts at divination or communication with ancestors

Safety Warnings about Datura:

• Datura is extremely poisonous. Never eat or use any part of this plant.
• Even touching the plant can be dangerous. Always wear gloves if you must handle it.
• Datura can cause:
  • Strong hallucinations
  • Feeling very confused
  • Feeling nauseated
  • And yes, death
• The poison in Datura is tricky:
  • You can't tell how strong it is by looking at it
  • A little bit can be just as dangerous as a lot
• In many places, it's against the law to use Datura or make drugs from it.
• If you grow Datura in your garden:
  • Keep children and pets away from it
  • Put up a sign to warn others
  • Never leave the plant or its parts where others might find them
• If someone eats Datura by accident:
  • Call for emergency help right away
  • Tell the doctors it was Datura poisoning

One of the only safe ways to work with Datura is to use the flower essence and to purchase it from a company that is renowned for working with dangerous herbs. Coventry Creations does not work with or use Datura. We recommend you purchase it from a reputable company like Desert Alchemy.

References

Beyer, R. (2022a). Datura, Jimsonweed, Thorn Apple (Datura stramonium). In Wild witchcraft: Folk herbalism, garden magic, and foraging for spells, rituals, and remedies (pp. 65–66). essay, Simon Element, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Cunningham, S. (1985a). Datura. In Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn's Sourcebook Series (Ser. 1, pp. 99–100). entry, Llewellyn.