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Five or more species are currently attributed to Brugmansia, most
originating in the Andes of northern South America, though even
there they seem always to be associated with human habitation.
They are evergreen or semi-evergreen and their leaves are large and
soft, rather like tobacco leaves but smaller, and all parts of the
plant are narcotic and poisonous.
Cultivation: The plants prefer a warm to hot climate, a sunny
sheltered site and a light, fertile, well-drained soil.
It has been used as a poultice and analgesic for treating bruises
and minor wounds, as skin ulcers, hemorrhoids, and anesthesia for
setting bones. Arthritis, rheumatism.The leaves and flowers have
been smoked for centuries to alleviate athsma and other pulmonary
conditions, and it has been shown by modern research that
scopolamine happens to be an excellent bronchiodilator. Today
scopolamine is commonly used to treat motion sickness.
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