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Chemistry / What medications could you isolate from plants in your backyard?
« on: 12/08/2016 23:39:00 »
It was brought to my attention recently that my region is awash in Jimsom Weed (Datura stramonium). Evidently, Jimsom Weed is a natural producer of atropine, hyosciamine, and scopolamine and of the three, the first is listed as an essential medication by the WHO. I have wondered how much of that list could be isolated or synthesized from local plant life. I am inclined to see if I can isolate atropine from Jimsom Weed, just to see if I can. As for the rest of the list, about 350 entries, I don't imagine I will be making much headway by myself, especially considering that I know almost nothing about plants in general and the number of local fauna I can identify can be counted on one hand. However, if any of you are aware of the name of such plants in your area, and what they produce, I would be glad to know what they are.