HEMLOCK

OTHER NAME(S):

California Fern, Carrot Weed, Cicuta, Ciguë, Ciguë d’Athènes, Ciguë Officinale, Ciguë de Socrate, Ciguë Tachetée, Conium, Conium Maculata, Conium maculatum, Grande Ciguë, Mort aux Oies, Nebraska Fern, Poison Fool's Parsley, Poison-Hemlock, Spotted Hemlock, Tsuga, Vicaire, Wild Carrot.

Overview

Overview Information

Hemlock is a very poisonous plant. In fact, all parts of the plant are toxic. Hemlock is most poisonous during the early stages of growth in the spring, but it is dangerous at all stages of growth. The poisons in hemlock are so deadly that people have died after eating game birds that had eaten hemlock seeds.

Hemlock is native to Europe and western Asia and was introduced into North America as an ornamental plant. It is frequently found in the US and southern Canada. Hemlock typically grows near fences, roadsides, ditches, abandoned construction sites, pastures, crops, and fields, where it can be confused with harmless plants. Accidental poisonings have occurred when people mistook the root for parsnip, leaves for parsley, or seeds for anise.

Despite serious safety concerns, hemlock leaves, root, and seeds are used to make medicine. It is used for breathing problems including bronchitis, whooping cough, and asthma; and for painful conditions including teething in children, swollen and painful joints, and cramps.

Hemlock is also used for anxiety and mania. Other uses include treatment of spasms tumors, skin infections, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Sydenham’s chorea, and bladder infections.

Hemlock has also been used to reverse strychnine poisoning.

How does it work?

Hemlock contains poisons that affect the transmission of nerve impulses to muscle. Death occurs by respiratory failure.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Insufficient Evidence for

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of hemlock for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

All parts of hemlock, including seeds, flowers, and fruits, are UNSAFE. Hemlock is so poisonous it can cause death. If someone takes hemlock, he or she should get immediate medical attention. Side effects and toxicities include increased saliva, burning of the digestive tract, drowsiness, muscle pain, rapid swelling and stiffening of muscles, kidney damage, rapid breakdown of muscle tissue and release of muscle tissue byproducts into the blood, rapid heart rate followed by a decreased heart rate, loss of speech, paralysis, unconsciousness, heart, lung, and kidney failure, and death.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

It is UNSAFE for anyone to use hemlock, but people with the following conditions are especially likely to experience unwanted side effects.

Children: Use of hemlock is UNSAFE and can be fatal, especially in children. Children can be poisoned by even small amounts of hemlock. Some children have died after eating leaves or using hollow hemlock stems as peashooters, flutes, or whistles. Hemlock should not be used for treating pain in children due to teething.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Use of hemlock is UNSAFE and can be fatal.

Interactions

Interactions?

We currently have no information for HEMLOCK Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of hemlock depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for hemlock. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

REFERENCES:

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  • Blythe, W. B. Hemlock poisoning, acute renal failure, and the Bible. Ren Fail. 1993;15(5):653. View abstract.
  • Brenet, O., Roy, P. M., Harry, P., Guinaudeau, H., and Alquier, P. [Hemlock poisoning: an occasionally benign course]. Presse Med. 1-20-1996;25(2):82. View abstract.
  • Cummings, S. and Ullman, D. Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines. Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc;1984.
  • Daugherty, C. G. The death of Socrates and the toxicology of hemlock. J.Med.Biogr. 1995;3(3):178-182. View abstract.
  • Davies, M. L. and Davies, T. A. Hemlock: murder before the Lord. Med Sci Law 1994;34(4):331-333. View abstract.
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  • Fitzgerald, P., Moss, N., O'Mahony, S., and Whelton, M. J. Accidental hemlock poisoning. Br.Med.J.(Clin.Res.Ed) 12-19-1987;295(6613):1657. View abstract.
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  • Oztekin-Mat, A. [Plant poisoning cases in Turkey]. Ann Pharm Fr. 1994;52(5):260-265. View abstract.
  • Reynolds, T. Hemlock alkaloids from Socrates to poison aloes. Phytochemistry 2005;66(12):1399-1406. View abstract.
  • Rizzi, D., Basile, C., Di Maggio, A., Sebastio, A., Introna, F., Jr., Rizzi, R., Bruno, S., Scatizzi, A., and De Marco, S. Rhabdomyolysis and acute tubular necrosis in coniine (hemlock) poisoning. Lancet 12-16-1989;2(8677):1461-1462. View abstract.
  • Rizzi, D., Basile, C., Di Maggio, A., Sebastio, A., Introna, F., Jr., Rizzi, R., Scatizzi, A., De Marco, S., and Smialek, J. E. Clinical spectrum of accidental hemlock poisoning: neurotoxic manifestations, rhabdomyolysis and acute tubular necrosis. Nephrol.Dial.Transplant. 1991;6(12):939-943. View abstract.
  • Rizzi, D., Introna, F., Jr., Gagliano, Candela R., Di Nunno, C., Ricco, R., Recchia, R., and De, Michele, V. [Toxic rhabdomyolysis and tubular necrosis in hemlock poisoning. 4 case reports]. Clin.Ter. 2-15-1988;124(3):193-201. View abstract.
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  • Scatizzi, A., Di Maggio, A., Rizzi, D., Sebastio, A. M., and Basile, C. Acute renal failure due to tubular necrosis caused by wildfowl-mediated hemlock poisoning. Ren Fail. 1993;15(1):93-96. View abstract.
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  • Frank BS, Panter KE. Ingestion of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). West J Med 1995;163:573-4.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2018.