Embedded Files
Toxicity
Toxicity
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms: Abnormal behaviour, affective lability, agitation, amnesia, anxiety, blindness, blurred vision, coma, confusion, constipation, convulsions, delirium, diarrhea, dry mouth, dry mucous membranes, dry skin, dysarthria, euphoria, fever, flaccid paralysis, flight of ideas, fluctuating levels of attention, fluctuating levels of comprehension, fluctuating levels of consciousness, fluctuating levels of fluency, fluctuating levels of orientation, flushing, hallucinations, headaches, high blood pressure, incoherent speech, incoherent thoughts, light-headedness, loss of accommodation, low blood pressure, mental alterations, mydriasis, nausea, nervousness, nervous system depression, paralysis, respiratory failure, respiratory irritation, salivation, seizures, sweating, tachycardia, tangential thinking, thirst, urinary retention, vomiting, weakness, zombie-like state.
Duration of Symptoms: Hours - weeks depending on the symptoms, with treatment.
Rate of Poison: Within 5 - 10 minutes.
Causes Death: Yes
Treatment: Activated charcoal, gastric lavage, physostigmine via intravenous route.
While these plants may resemble the trumpet of an angel, these plants are far from saintly. Consumption of around ten flowers can result in intoxication or death, with the effects of the poison almost immediate.
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Main Toxins
Main Toxins
Molecular structure of atropine (ChemDraw)
Atropine
Atropine
Atropine is known to be an anticholinergic blocking agent by acting as an antagonist to the acetylcholine receptor. It can also be defined as an antimuscarinic agent, which acts as an antagonist to muscarine, such as acetylcholine. To do this, atropine binds to the residues of the acetylcholine receptor, and prevents acetylcholine from binding to the receptor. By suppressing the action of acetylcholine, the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system is reduced.
Level of Toxin: 0.3 mg per blossom.
Impacting Dosage: 10 mg
Hyoscyamine
Hyoscyamine
Hyoscyamine is an alkaloid derivative from atropine and exhibits anticholinergic activity. Like atropine, hyocyamine acts as an antagonist to acetylcholine receptors, which suppresses the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Hyoscyamine is easily hydrolyzed to tropine and tropic acid.
Level of Toxin: Varies
Impacting Dosage: Greater than 1.5 mg/day
Molecular structure of hyoscyamine (ChemDraw)
Molecular structure of scopolamine (ChemDraw)
Scopolamine
Scopolamine
Scopolamine is an antagonist for acetylcholine receptors and is a tropane alkaloid. Scopolamine blocks the receptors located on smooth muscle cells structures that are supplied by the postganglionic cholinergic nerves. Just like hyocyamine and atropine, scopolamine mimicks the activity of acetylcholine receptors and suppresses the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Level of toxin: 0.65 mg per blossom, 3 mg throughout.
Impacting Dosage: 1.2 ng/mL
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: All parts.
Contact Hazard: Sap can cause rash on skin.
Animals Affected: Most animals
*Hummingbirds are unaffected.
Medicinal Value
Medicinal Value
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: All parts
Properties: Anesthetic, anthelmintic, anti-amoebic, anti-dermal pathogenic fungi, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, emetic, enema, reduction of morphine withdrawl, sedative, spasmolytic, stimulant
Components: Scopolamine
Antidote: Helps treat people with cocaine, morphine, and opioid abuse.
Preparation: Infusion, oils, ointment, poultice, tincture.
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Treatments
Treatments
Aches and pains
Arthritis
Dermatitis
Headaches
Herbal Medicine: Indigenous people used Angel's Trumpet as herbal medicine and for religious ceremonies.
Infections
Rheumatism
Location
Location
South America: Used angel's trumpet to treat surface conditions like arthritis, dermatitis, aches and pains, and infections.
Claimed Treatments
Claimed Treatments
Arthritis: Ointment used to treat arthritic pain. Boiling water infusion/ethanol tincture.
Asthma: Ayurvedic medicine; inhaling burning leaves to treat asthma.
Boils: Leaves made into a poultice accelerates breakdown of boils.
Burns: Ointment used to treat burns.
Colds
Cramps
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Ears: Oils mixed with other herbs are applied to ears to relieve pain.
Fever: Fruit mixed and burned with cow dung, then crushed, to treat fevers that are caused by someone who has contracted malaria. Leaves used to alleviate fevers.
Headache
Hemorrhoids
Muscles
Pain: Flowers and seeds mixed in water and ingested to relieve pain. Leaves made into a poultice used to treat pain.
Rheumatism: Leaves used externally to relieve pain. Boiling water infusion/ethanol tinctures.
Skin Infection: Boiling water infusions/ethanol tinctures.
Stomach
Swelling: Boiling water infusions/ethanol tinctures.
Tumors: Leaves used to treat tumors.
Ulcers
Worms
Location
Location
Ayurveda: Arthritis, asthma, back pain, dandruff, sciatica, skin diseases, ulcers.
Chile: Leaves made into a poultice used to treat boils and pain.
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: Leaves used as direct application, ointment. poultice, tincture. Plant treats aches and pains, dermatitis, headaches, muscle ailments, orchitis, stomach ailments.
Peru: Boiling water infusions/ethanol tinctures are used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, skin infection, and swelling. Leaves are used to treat boils, fevers, pain, and tumors.
Rio Grande do Sul: Mixed flowers and seeds into water to relieve pain..
Edibility
Edibility
Parts of Plant: Leaves, seeds.
Nutrients: None known
Taste: Bitter
WARNING: All beverages listed are created with the purpose of induction of psychosis.
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
Drink: In South America, drinks are used for religious purposes, such as evaluating one's true self or contacting with deities.
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
Beer: Tanzania; added to beer. Crushed seeds added to chicha
Chicha: Crushed seeds added to chicha (psychoactive beer)
Cimora: Peru; leaves added to psychoactive beverage along with the San Pedro cactus.
General Facts
General Facts
Plant Facts
Plant Facts
Illustration of Angel's Trumpet by D. A. Wilkerson
Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)
Genus: Brugmansia
Other Names: Angel Star, Angel's Tears, Brazil's White Angel Trumpet, Cornucopia, Datura, Devil's Breath, Devil's Trumpet, Floripondio, Hindu Datura, Night Bells, Peruvian Trumpeta, Snowy Angel's Trumpet, Stramoine Inoffensive, Stramoine Parfumée, Tree Datura, Trompeta de Ángel, Trompette des Anges, Trompette du Jugement, Trumpet Flower, White Angel's Trumpet
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bloom Colours: Pink, red, orange, cream, yellow, green[ish], pale violet, white.
Bloom Time: April - August
Type: Annual (perennial in more southern states).
Height: 3 - 30 feet
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitat: Deserts, dry rocky soil, moist soil, sand, tropical climates, woody areas. Human civilization.
*This plant is considered extinct in the wild, and can only really be seen in gardens for ornamental use.
Origin: South America, Andes Mountains.
States: CA, FL, IN, LA, MS, NM, TX
Provinces: MB, ON
Species
Species
Brugmansia arborea
(Common Angel's Trumpet)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Brugmansia insignis
(Frosty Pink Angel's Trumpet)
Photo: Dinesh Valke - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 2.0
Brugmansia sanguinea
(Red Angel's Trumpet)
Photo: Slick - Wikimedia Commons
Brugmansia suaveolens (Angel's Tears)
Photo: Rob Hille - Wikimedia Commons
Brugmansia versicolor (Arborescent Angel's Trumpet)
Photo: Wouter Hagens - Wikimedia Commons
Other Species
Other Species
Brugmansia x rubella
Family Connection
Family Connection
Sources
Sources
Toxicity Section
Toxicity Section
Better Homes & Gardens. (n.d.). Angel’s Trumpet. From: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/angels-trumpet/
BIO203. (n.d.). Deadly Nightshade. From http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2013/lambert_made/interactions.htm
Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service. (n.d.). Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia x candida). Queensland Government. From https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/poisonous-plant-angels-trumpet-brugmansia-x-candida/
Colorado State University. (n.d.). Details. From https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/119
Faletto, J. (2019). The Hallucinogenic Angel’s Trumpet Plant Is Beautiful and Deadly. Discovery. From https://www.discovery.com/nature/Angels-Trumpet-Plant
HealthBenefitstimes.com. (n.d.). Traditional uses and benefits of Angel's Trumpet. From https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/angels-trumpet/
Kim, Y., Kim, J., Kim, O. J., & Kim, W. C. (2014). Intoxication by angel's trumpet: case report and literature review. BMC research notes, 7, 553. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-7-553
Largo, M. (2014). The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World's Most Fascinating Flora. HarperCollins Publishers. (pp.12-13)
Melon. (1995). Angel’s Trumpet Ban Not Needed. Orlando Sentinel. From https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1995-01-17-9501170326-story.html
Myers, V. R. (2022). How to Grow and Care for Brugmansia. The Spruce. From https://www.thespruce.com/angels-trumpet-brugmansia-spp-3269243
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2022). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 154417, Hyoscyamine. From https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hyoscyamine.
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2022). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 174174, Atropine. From https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Atropine.
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2022). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 3000322, Scopolamine. Retrieved July 18, 2022 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hyoscine.
Petruzzello, M. (n.d.) angel’s trumpet. Encyclopedia Britannica. From https://www.britannica.com/plant/angels-trumpet
RxList. (2021). Angel’s Trumpet. From https://www.rxlist.com/angels_trumpet/supplements.htm
RxWiki. (n.d.). Hyoscyamine. From https://www.rxwiki.com/hyoscyamine
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 103)
Strano-Rossi, S., Mestria, S., Bolino, G., Polacco, M., Grassi, S., & Oliva, A. (2021). Scopolamine fatal outcome in an inmate after buscopan® smoking. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 135(4), 1455-1460.
Stuart. G. U. (2016). Trompeta. Philippine Medicinal Plants. From http://www.stuartxchange.org/Trompeta
Medicinal Value Section
Medicinal Value Section
HealthBenefitstimes.com. (n.d.). Traditional uses and benefits of Angel's Trumpet. From https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/angels-trumpet/
Petruzzello, M. (n.d.) angel’s trumpet. Encyclopedia Britannica. From https://www.britannica.com/plant/angels-trumpet
Rojas Contreras, S. (2019). Chemical composition of Angel's trumpets (Brugmansia spp.) and its relationship with traditional medicinal uses. From https://repositorio.uniandes.edu.co/bitstream/handle/1992/43859/u831212.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
RxList. (2021). Angel’s Trumpet. From https://www.rxlist.com/angels_trumpet/supplements.htm
Stuart. G. U. (2016). Trompeta. Philippine Medicinal Plants. From http://www.stuartxchange.org/Trompeta
Wikipedia. (2024). Brugmansia. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia#cite_note-19
Edibility Section
Edibility Section
HealthBenefitstimes.com. (n.d.). Traditional uses and benefits of Angel's Trumpet. From https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/angels-trumpet/
Stuart. G. U. (2016). Trompeta. Philippine Medicinal Plants. From http://www.stuartxchange.org/Trompeta
General Facts Section
General Facts Section
Better Homes & Gardens. (n.d.). Angel’s Trumpet. From: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/angels-trumpet/
Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service. (n.d.). Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia x candida). Queensland Government. From https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/poisonous-plant-angels-trumpet-brugmansia-x-candida/
Colorado State University. (n.d.). Details. From https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/119
HealthBenefitstimes.com. (n.d.). Traditional uses and benefits of Angel's Trumpet. From https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/angels-trumpet/
Kim, Y., Kim, J., Kim, O. J., & Kim, W. C. (2014). Intoxication by angel's trumpet: case report and literature review. BMC research notes, 7, 553. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-7-553
Largo, M. (2014). The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World's Most Fascinating Flora. HarperCollins Publishers. (pp.12-13)
Myers, V. R. (2022). How to Grow and Care for Brugmansia. The Spruce. From https://www.thespruce.com/angels-trumpet-brugmansia-spp-3269243
Petruzzello, M. (n.d.) angel’s trumpet. Encyclopedia Britannica. From https://www.britannica.com/plant/angels-trumpet
Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife. (1998). Wildflowers: Guides to Recognizing Just About Everything in Nature. Reader’s Digest Association. (pp. 57)
RxList. (2021). Angel’s Trumpet. From https://www.rxlist.com/angels_trumpet/supplements.htm
Stuart. G. U. (2016). Trompeta. Philippine Medicinal Plants. From http://www.stuartxchange.org/Trompeta
Wisconsin Horticulture. (n.d.) Angel’s Trumpet, Brugmansia. From https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/angels-trumpet-brugmansia/
Date of page creation: September 1, 2022
Updated page: May 9, 2024
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse