Datura species contain several solanaceous alkaloids. Principal among them are atropine, hyoscyamine, and hyoscine. Poisoning may occur from an overdose of plant preparations or any of its alkaloids, and human poisoning from ingestion of parts or plant decoctions is common. Small amounts produce symptoms and larger amounts death if treatment is not swift and successful. Vicitims become delerious, incoherent, and perform insensible motions, commonly picking at imaginary objects on themselves or in the air.
Worldwide losses occur in all classes of livestock from plants eaten fresh, in hay, or in ensilage.
Chickens are poisoned by ingestion of seeds. Poisoning also has occurred from datura seeds being ingested as impurities in flour or in bean mixtures. The narcotic powers of jimsonweed were known in the Old World since the beginning of recorded history. The effect that the leaves had when eaten by a ship's crew that arrived at Jamestown are well known. Before tobacco became their principal crop, the Virginia colonists exported Jamestown weed to England as a relief for the congestion of gonorrhea.