Herbarium of the Ancients — Detailed Record

Duboisia myoporoides

Read before use: the information below describes traditional and informational uses — it does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. In case of doubt, pregnancy, breastfeeding, ongoing treatment, or use in children, seek advice before use.

Enhanced precautions for this plant: Highly toxic plant containing tropane alkaloids (hyoscine/scopolamine, hyoscyamine): never consume without supervision by a qualified professional. Contraindicated in case of pregnancy, breastfeeding, glaucoma, cardiac or urinary disorders. Risk of serious interactions with many medications (anticholinergics, sedatives, antidepressants). Use prohibited in children; the margin between active dose and toxic dose is very narrow.

Standardised extract (historical pharmaceutical use) — Leaves

Extract for supervised use

Historically, the leaves were processed in laboratories to extract scopolamine and hyoscyamine, then used in precisely dosed medicinal preparations. This transformation can only be performed by professionals, due to the toxicity of the raw plant. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or a recognised pharmacopoeia before use.

Traditional chewing (historical Aboriginal use) — Fresh leaves

Leaf quid with ashes

In certain Aboriginal traditions, small quantities of leaves were chewed with plant ashes, a practice that modifies the absorption of alkaloids. This ancient use should not be reproduced without thorough knowledge, as the risk of overdose is real. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or a recognised pharmacopoeia before use.

Where to find it

Obtaining the plant

Duboisia myoporoides grows wild in the coastal forests of eastern Australia; it is not cultivated as an ornamental garden plant and its cultivation remains primarily reserved for supervised pharmaceutical purposes.

Harvest season

When to harvest it

The leaves were traditionally harvested year-round, with alkaloid content varying according to season and age of the shrub.

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