Stem plant
Fungus: Clavicipitaceae, parasite on rye and other grasses and cereals.
Medicinal drug
Secale cornutum, ergot: The sclerotium of Tulasne (PH 4) collected from the ear of rye and dried rapidly over lime immediately without application of heat – no longer officinal.
Preparations
The old pharmacopoeias contained some preparations, e.g. Extractum Secalis cornuti.
Ingredients
- Indole alkaloids: ergot alkaloids: ergotamine, ergometrine, ergocristine and others.
- Biogenic amines: Histamine, tyramine, others
- Dyes
Fields of application
- In finished medicinal products
- Migraine
- Commission E evaluates the use of the drug negatively
Adverse effects
High toxicity: poisoning if ergot gets into the grain.
