Dog parsley (Aethusa cynapium) belongs to the umbellifer family and is a highly poisonous plant native to Asia Minor and Europe, respectively.
Occurrence and cultivation of dog parsley.
The dog parsley (Aethusa cynapium) belongs to the umbellifer family and is a highly poisonous plant native to Asia Minor and Europe, respectively. The dog parsley is a herbaceous plant that grows up to one meter high. Its stems are slightly angular and have bluish stripes. The leaves are alternate and have the shape of a triangle. If they are crushed, they have a garlicky odor. The dog parsley blooms between June and September, and the inflorescence has white flowers that are about two millimeters in diameter. The split fruit is bipartite and has a spherical shape. About 500 seeds are formed per plant. Dog parsley grows in Asia Minor, respectively in large parts of Europe, where it can be found mainly under shrubs, in home gardens, in meadows and also in fields. The plant thrives best in nutrient-rich, calcareous soils and in warmer locations. For this reason, it is included in the so-called Silene noctifiora group, which prefer this type of sites. Occasionally, dog parsley is also attacked by powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni) or by the rust fungi Puccinia nitiola and Puccinia bullata, respectively. Regionally, it is often also called Düllkraut, Krötenpeterlein or Faule Grete. The name Aethusa is derived from the Greek term “aitho”, which means “to burn” and refers to the pungent taste. In addition, the name also refers to the underside of the leaves, which are very shiny. The highly glossy leaves are an important distinguishing feature from the true parsley or garden parsley, whose leaves are dull but similar in shape to the dog parsley. The term “cynapium” is composed of the Greek term “kunos” (dog) and the Latin word “apium” (parsley). The derogatory name dog parsley, on the other hand, indicates that the plant looks similar to parsley, but it is inedible. Today, there are still a total of two subspecies of dog parsley, which differ on the basis of their branching and height of growth, respectively:
- Aethusa cynapium subsp. cynapium: The stems of this species grow to a height of about 10 to 80 centimeters and its leafy tops are ovate. This subspecies of dog parsley grows mainly in fields and ruderal sites throughout its range.
- Aethusa cynapium subsp. elata: The stems of this species are tall and branch only from the middle of the stem. The leaflet tips are linear to oblong. This subspecies grows mainly in moist forest areas and is widespread in Central Europe to southern Sweden.
Effect and application
In prehistoric times, the dog parsley probably served as a food, as evidenced by various findings in pots dating from the Iron and Bronze Ages, respectively. In addition, the root or the herb of the dog parsley was used in the past as a sedative and the juice was taken against urinary gravel. Especially in the Middle Ages, the plant was used as an antispasmodic and it was also used to make a paste, which was then applied as a poultice. In addition, the plant has a stone, diuretic and diaphoretic effect. In homeopathy it is used for concentration disorders and for violent vomiting. The dog parsley contains a toxic polyine mixture, so that accidental consumption can cause visual disturbances, flatulence, pupil dilation, vomiting or paralysis. This polyine mixture consists of aethusine, of aethusanol A and B, and of coniine-like alkaloids. The highest content of poison can be found in the rhizome, while the herb contains about 0.2 percent. However, dog parsley is not a highly toxic plant; only ingestion of larger quantities of the plant becomes dangerous. The toxin is absorbed by the mucous membrane and spreads throughout the body within about four hours. The first symptoms of poisoning appear about one hour after consumption. The plant is also toxic to animals, with a lethal dose of about 15 kilograms of the herb. In arable farming, dog parsley is considered a “more difficult to control weed” and it is also undesirable for cattle in pastures and meadows.Especially in sugar beet cultivation, dog parsley is controlled with sulfonylureas and quinmerac. Dog parsley must not be confused with garden parsley, wild carrot and garden chervil, respectively, as confusion can also lead to death.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
Today, dog parsley is mainly used in homeopathy in the form of globules, and these have proven themselves mainly in cases of vomiting diarrhea, cramps or narrowing in the area of the gastric outlet. In addition, Aethusa is used for vomiting in infants, yellow-green diarrhea, cramps in infants and irritability, exhaustion, weakness, vomiting in summer heat, diarrhea in children, excitement, anxiety, fainting and insomnia. Dog parsley has influence on the nervous system, stomach and intestines and is also suitable for children who have digestive problems and suffer from diarrhea especially after eating dairy products. After drinking, the milk is immediately regurgitated and those affected feel an immediate sensation of hunger. They also suffer from severe cramps and pain. In addition, Aethusa can also increase or strengthen concentration. Furthermore, dog parsley is also used for pregnancy vomiting, sea and travel sickness or to support teething. The globules can be purchased in the potencies D4, 6, 12 and 30.
