Conium maculatum

Related Terms

Alkaloids, Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae) family, ash, atropine, beaver poison, California fern, carrot weed, Cicuta, conhydrine, coniceine, coniine, Conium, conium alkaloids, Conium maculate, Conium maculatum, conium ointment, conline, ethyl piperidine, fixed oil, green extract of conium, hemlock alkaloids, hemlock juice, herb bennet, juice of conium, keck, kecksies, kex, mucilage, musquash root, Nebraska fern, piperidine alkaloids, poison fool's parsley, poison hemlock, poison parsley, poison-hemlock, pseudoconhydrine, spotted corobane, spotted hemlock, spotted parsley, succus Conii, Umbelliferae, wild carrot.
Note: Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a different species from Eastern hemlock or water hemlock.

Background

Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is one of the most poisonous plants, due to the presence of piperidine alkaloids in all parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and roots. Hemlock was purportedly the poison used in ancient Greece to execute condemned prisoners.
Hemlock poisoning affects the central nervous system (CNS), causing CNS stimulation followed by depression. Hemlock intoxication has occurred when this plant or parts of it are mistaken for other wild and cultivated edible plants, including fennel, wild carrot, wild chervil, anise (seeds), parsley (leaves), and parsnip (roots). Toxic reactions may result from inhalation as well as ingestion, due to the volatility of hemlock alkaloids. Drying the plant greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the toxicity.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for hemlock in adults. Hemlock is poisonous when taken internally, except when diluted into homeopathic preparations.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Hemlock is poisonous when taken internally, except when diluted into homeopathic preparations. Numerous interactions are theoretically possible.
Hemlock may interact with agents used for the heart, drugs that are toxic to the kidneys, gastrointestinal agents, and neurologic agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Biberci, E., Altuntas, Y., Cobanoglu, A., et al. Acute respiratory arrest following hemlock (Conium maculatum) intoxication. J.Toxicol.Clin.Toxicol. 2002;40(4):517-518.
Brenet, O., Roy, P. M., Harry, P., et al. [Hemlock poisoning: an occasionally benign course]. Presse Med. 1-20-1996;25(2):82.
Carod-Artal, F. J. [Neurological syndromes linked with the intake of plants and fungi containing a toxic component (I). Neurotoxic syndromes caused by the ingestion of plants, seeds and fruits]. Rev Neurol. 5-1-2003;36(9):860-871.
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Davies, M. L. and Davies, T. A. Hemlock: murder before the Lord. Med Sci Law 1994;34(4):331-333.
Drummer, O. H., Roberts, A. N., Bedford, P. J., et al. Three deaths from hemlock poisoning. Med.J.Aust. 6-5-1995;162(11):592-593.
Foster, P. F., McFadden, R., Trevino, R., et al. Successful transplantation of donor organs from a hemlock poisoning victim. Transplantation 9-15-2003;76(5):874-876.
Frank, B. S., Michelson, W. B., Panter, K. E., et al. Ingestion of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). West J.Med. 1995;163(6):573-574.
Gibbs, D. Dr John Andree, MD (Rheims) LRCP, founding physician of the London Hospital. J Med Biogr. 2003;11(2):87-94.
MacLaughlin, B. W., Gutsmuths, B., Pretner, E., et al. Effects of homeopathic preparations on human prostate cancer growth in cellular and animal models. Integr.Cancer Ther 2006;5(4):362-372.
Reckeweg, H. H. Materia Medica Momoeopathia Antihomotoxica, Volume I: A Selective Pharmacology. Baden-Baden: Aurelia-Verlag;1996.
Reynolds, T. Hemlock alkaloids from Socrates to poison aloes. Phytochemistry 2005;66(12):1399-1406.
Thangapazham, R. L., Gaddipati, J. P., Rajeshkumar, N. V., et al. Homeopathic medicines do not alter growth and gene expression in prostate and breast cancer cells in vitro. Integr.Cancer Ther 2006;5(4):356-361.
Vetter, J. Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum L.). Food Chem.Toxicol. 2004;42(9):1373-1382.