Cestrum nocturnum (Solanaceae) Raat ki Rani, Night-Blooming Jasmine, Queen of the Night

Quick Overview:

Cestrum nocturnum is a widely cultivated ornamental shrub famous for its intensely fragrant, night-blooming flowers. Despite its enchanting scent, it is a plant of significant toxicity. All parts contain potent solanaceous alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. Its use in folk medicine for pain relief, fever, or as a sedative is exceptionally dangerous and not recommended, due to the high risk of severe poisoning affecting the heart, nervous system, and digestive tract.

1. Taxonomic Insights

Species: Cestrum nocturnum L.

Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

The Solanaceae family contains many economically important food plants (tomato, potato) and some of the world's most toxic and medicinal herbs, rich in tropane alkaloids. Cestrum species are notably toxic, with C. nocturnum being one of the most common.

Related Herbs from the Same Family:

· Atropa belladonna (Deadly Nightshade): Source of atropine, extremely toxic, used in minute doses in pharmacology.

· Datura metel (Datura/Ummattai): A toxic deliriant used in controlled Ayurvedic preparations for asthma and pain, but dangerous as a raw herb.

· Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): A safe, premier adaptogen and nervine tonic, demonstrating the family's vast range from highly toxic to highly beneficial.

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2. Common Names

Scientific Name: Cestrum nocturnum | English: Night-Blooming Jasmine, Queen of the Night, Lady of the Night | Sanskrit: Not classically described. May be called रात्रिपुष्पी (Ratripushpi) or माधवीलता (Madhavilata) descriptively. | Hindi: रात की रानी (Raat ki Rani) | Bengali: রাতের রাণী (Rater Rani) | Tamil: இரவுத் துளசி (Ravuth Thulasi), நிக்ட் ஜாஸ்மின் (Night Jasmine) | Telugu: రాత్రి పుష్పము (Raathri Pushpamu) | Kannada: ರಾತ್ರಿ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ (Raathri Mallige) | Malayalam: രാത്രി മുല്ല (Raathri Mulla) | Spanish: Galán de noche, Dama de noche | Tagalog: Dama de noche |

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3. Medicinal Uses

Primary Actions (Traditional, but EXTREMELY RISKY): Sedative (narcotic), Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Febrifuge.

Secondary Actions: Potential Antimicrobial (external), Emetic (in overdose).

Medicinal Parts (All Parts are TOXIC):

· Leaves: Most frequently mentioned in folk preparations, but highly dangerous.

· Flowers & Berries: Also toxic; berries pose a significant risk to children.

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4. Phytochemicals Specific to the Plant and Their Action

· Cardiac Glycosides (Cestrum glycosides, similar to digitalis): Cause cardiotoxicity (irregular heartbeat, bradycardia, arrest). Their action is positive inotrope (increases heart contraction force) but with a dangerously narrow therapeutic index.

· Tropane Alkaloids (e.g., atropine, scopolamine-like compounds): Cause anticholinergic syndrome (dry mouth, blurred vision, tachycardia, delirium, hallucinations, coma).

· Saponins (e.g., cestrum saponins): Contribute to GI irritation (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and are hemolytic.

· Coumarins (e.g., scopoletin): May have sedative and antispasmodic effects, but are present alongside overwhelming toxins.

· Essential Oil (Methyl Benzoate, etc.): Responsible for the fragrance; can cause headaches and respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.

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5. Traditional and Ethnobotanical Uses Covering the Medicinal Uses

WARNING: These uses are presented as an ethnobotanical record. INTERNAL USE IS LIFE-THREATENING.

Anidra (Insomnia) & Chittodvega (Anxiety) - High-Risk Folk Use

Formulation: Extremely weak leaf infusion or flower scent.

Preparation & Use: In some folk traditions, a single leaf in a large volume of water was used as a sedative tea. More commonly, the fragrance alone is believed to have calming properties.

Reasoning: The coumarins and alkaloids may have CNS-depressant effects. The concurrent cardiac glycosides make this effect unpredictably dangerous, potentially leading to coma or fatal heart rhythm disturbances.

Jwara (Fever) & Shoola (Pain) - Dangerous Historical Use

Formulation: Leaf poultice (external) or risky decoction.

Preparation & Use: A poultice applied to the forehead for headache or a minimal decoction for febrile pains. Internal decoction is poison.

Reasoning: The anticholinergic alkaloids can reduce secretions and have mild analgesic properties, but they cause more harm than good. The cardiac glycosides are not broken down by heat.

Vrana (Wounds) & Twak Vikara (Skin Itch) - External Only with Caution

Formulation: Crushed leaf paste or wash.

Preparation & Use: Applied topically to wounds or itchy skin. This can cause severe contact dermatitis and systemic absorption through broken skin is possible.

Reasoning: Saponins and alkaloids have antimicrobial properties, but the plant's extreme irritancy makes it a poor choice. Safer alternatives abound.

Swasa (Asthma) - A Particularly Dangerous Misuse

Formulation: Smoke from burning leaves or inhalation.

Preparation & Use: Historically, leaves were smoked or fumes inhaled for asthma. This can cause acute respiratory distress and fatal bronchospasm or cardiotoxicity.

Reasoning: Tropane alkaloids can cause bronchodilation, but the uncontrolled dose and presence of cardiotoxins make this practice exceptionally perilous.

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6. Healing Recipes, Teas, Decoctions

This plant is POISONOUS and must NOT be used in home preparations. The following is for academic understanding only.

Theoretical (and Dangerous) Sedative Infusion (Historical Folk Practice)

Purpose: Risky folk sedative.

Theoretical (DO NOT PREPARE):

1. One small leaf (approx. 2g) is placed in 500ml of boiling water.

2. Steeped for no more than 1 minute.

3. Strained. Even this minute preparation can contain lethal concentrations of cardiac glycosides for a child or sensitive adult.

Fragrant Sachet (The Only Safe "Use")

Purpose: To enjoy the scent safely.

Safe Preparation:

1. Collect a few fresh flower clusters.

2. Place them in a porous cloth sachet.

3. Use to fragrance a room. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not ingest.

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7. In-Depth Phytochemical Profile and Clinical Significance of Cestrum nocturnum

Introduction

Cestrum nocturnum, the Night-Blooming Jasmine, is a study in botanical contradiction: its scent is heavenly, but its chemistry is perilous. Its primary significance lies in toxicology and horticulture, not in herbal therapy. The plant synthesizes a "perfect storm" of toxic compounds—cardiac glycosides that target the heart, tropane alkaloids that disrupt the nervous system, and irritant saponins—making it one of the more dangerous common ornamentals. Its folk use is a testament to humanity's risk-taking in the face of suffering, but modern knowledge unequivocally condemns its internal or therapeutic application.

1. Cardiac Glycosides (The Primary Cardiotoxic Agents)

Key Compounds: Cestrumside A & B, and other cardenolides similar in action to digoxin (Digitalis purpurea).

Actions and Clinical Relevance:

· Inhibition of Na+/K+ ATPase: This is the mechanism of cardiotoxicity. By blocking this cellular pump, glycosides increase intracellular calcium in heart muscle, leading to stronger contractions (therapeutic in controlled digitalis doses) but also causing severe arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia, fibrillation), bradycardia, and cardiac arrest.

· Narrow Therapeutic Index: The difference between a dose that might have an effect and a lethal dose is vanishingly small and unpredictable due to plant variability. There is no safe self-dosing.

· Cumulative Toxicity: These compounds are eliminated slowly, leading to dangerous buildup in the body with repeated use.

2. Tropane Alkaloids (The Neurotoxic Agents)

Key Compounds: Likely atropine, scopolamine, or related esters.

Actions and Clinical Relevance:

· Anticholinergic Syndrome: These compounds block acetylcholine receptors, leading to the classic toxidrome: "Dry as a bone, red as a beet, hot as a hare, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter." Symptoms include tachycardia, hyperthermia, flushed skin, dilated pupils, blurred vision, urinary retention, hallucinations, delirium, seizures, and coma.

· Interaction with Cardiac Glycosides: Tachycardia from anticholinergic action compounds the life-threatening arrhythmias caused by the cardiac glycosides, creating a synergistic lethal potential.

An Integrated View of Toxicity and Folk Lore in Cestrum nocturnum

· The Pathophysiology of Poisoning: Ingestion typically begins with severe GI distress (saponins, alkaloids). As cardenolides absorb, the patient may initially feel a slowed, stronger pulse (bradycardia), which can quickly degenerate into erratic, fatal rhythms. Simultaneously, anticholinergic alkaloids cause CNS excitation (agitation, hallucinations) followed by depression (coma, respiratory failure). This multi-organ attack makes treatment complex and often futile.

· The Seductive Fragrance and the Deadly Chemistry: The intense, sweet fragrance operates on a completely separate biochemical pathway (volatile aromatics) and has no relation to the plant's internal toxicity. This disconnect is why the plant is so dangerous—its pleasant scent belies its deadly nature, leading to tragic cases of children ingesting berries or adults attempting medicinal teas.

· A Modern Herbalist's Verdict: From a clinical herbal perspective, C. nocturnum has no legitimate therapeutic role. Its risks are catastrophic, its dosage impossible to standardize safely, and its purported benefits (sedation, pain relief) are abundantly available from countless safe herbs (e.g., Valeriana, Passiflora, Withania). Its monograph is important primarily as a warning.

· Public Health Hazard as an Ornamental: Its widespread planting in gardens and public spaces necessitates public awareness. Clear labeling and education that this beautiful, fragrant plant is poisonous are essential to prevent accidental poisoning, particularly of children attracted to its berries.

Conclusion: Cestrum nocturnum is a profoundly toxic plant. Its enchanting nocturnal fragrance has secured its place in gardens worldwide, but this should not be mistaken for therapeutic virtue. Its biochemistry is armed with two of the most potent classes of plant toxins—cardiac glycosides and tropane alkaloids—acting in dangerous concert. While it holds a place in the history of folk risk-taking, it holds no place in modern herbal practice, home remedy, or any form of internal use. It stands as a paramount example of why botanical knowledge must prioritize safety, and why all that is fragrant is not benign.

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Disclaimer:

CESTRUM NOCTURNUM IS HIGHLY POISONOUS AND CAN BE FATAL. INTERNAL USE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the berries and leaves.

Ingestion can cause:

· Severe cardiac effects: Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), slow or rapid pulse, cardiac arrest.

· Severe neurological effects: Headache, hallucinations, delirium, seizures, coma.

· Severe gastrointestinal effects: Nausea, violent vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea.

· Anticholinergic syndrome: Dry mouth, dilated pupils, blurred vision, fever.

There is no safe dose for self-medication.

Seek immediate medical attention if ingested. Even handling the plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The strong fragrance may trigger headaches, nausea, or respiratory difficulties for some. This information is for toxicological awareness only. This plant must not be used as medicine.

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8. Reference Books, Books for In-depth Study:

· Toxic Plants of North America by George E. Burrows & Ronald J. Tyrl.

· Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants by Lewis S. Nelson et al.

· Poisonous Plants and Related Toxins (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry).

· Solanaceae: Biology and Systematics edited by William G. D'Arcy.

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9. Further Study: Plants That Might Interest You Due to Similar Properties (SAFE Alternatives)

1. Jasminum sambac (Mogra, Arabian Jasmine)

· Species: Jasminum sambac | Family: Oleaceae | Genus: Jasminum

· Similarities: Provides an intensely fragrant, safe floral scent used in aromatherapy for calming nerves and uplifting mood. The flowers are used to make safe, fragrant teas (Jasmine tea). This is the safe alternative for fragrance and mild nervine effect.

2. Valeriana officinalis (Valerian)

· Species: Valeriana officinalis | Family: Caprifoliaceae | Genus: Valeriana

· Similarities: Both are traditionally used as potent sedatives for insomnia and anxiety. Valerian is a well-researched, safe, and effective herbal sedative with no cardiac toxicity, making it the definitive safe alternative.

3. Cestrum diurnum (Day-Blooming Jasmine)

· Species: Cestrum diurnum | Family: Solanaceae | Genus: Cestrum

· Similarities: A closely related species that is also highly toxic, containing similar cardiac glycosides (and vitamin D analogues that cause calcification of soft tissues). It is included here as a warning to avoid ALL Cestrum species for medicinal use.

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