Water hemlock is also known as poison water hemlock. This name already indicates the highly toxic effect of this medicinal plant, which may only be used in finished medicines or homeopathically.
Occurrence and cultivation of water hemlock
Water hemlock grows as a herbaceous plant with growth heights of 0.5 to 1.5 meters. Characteristically generative features include a large, double-petaled inflorescence. Water hemlock is a member of the umbelliferous plant family. The scientific name is Cicuta virosa. A popular epithet is wutzer. Other trivial names include wutzerling, ziegerkraut, dullkraut, Bärstkraut, Bartzenkraut and Berzenkraut. Along with spotted hemlock and dog parsley, water hemlock is one of the most poisonous umbellifers. The aroma is very intense and unpleasant. Water hemlock grows as a herbaceous plant with growth heights of 0.5 to 1.5 meters. Characteristically generative features include a large, double-petaled inflorescence that has 10 to 20 individual inflorescences. The umbels are profusely flowered and have a large number of bracts. As the name suggests, this medicinal plant is an aquatic and perennial stem plant rooted in aquatic and marshy areas. The root tubers are provided with air chambers that make them buoyant. Vegetative dispersal occurs through floating and uprooted tubers. The deciduous, helomorphic hemicryptophyte survives winter in leaf-covered soil. Pollination is by two-winged insects, and the flowering period lasts from July to September. The fruits are cold and light seedlings. Water hemlock is not to be confused with the equally poisonous spotted hemlock, with which it is at most distantly related through the umbellifer family.
Effect and application
The natural occurrences of water hemlock are widespread in Eurasia. The perennial stem plant thrives in boreal and submeridional climates and is found in both lowland and hilly areas. As the name suggests, water hemlock prefers watery to moist sites and grows on the siltation areas of standing waters of lakes, ponds, and ditches. Other plant populations may occur in moist beech forests. However, natural populations are declining sharply due to intensive use of the siltation areas. Therefore, the water hemlock is on the Red List in most German states and is classified as an endangered plant species. Its populations are also endangered in other European countries. Due to its highly toxic effect, water hemlock no longer plays a role in naturopathy. Homeopathy uses the plant extracts in potentized form for epilepsy, muscle spasms and meningitis. Other applications include seizures after head injuries, concussion, dizziness, astigmatism, headaches, whiplash, beard lichen, pus or grind lichen, splinter injuries, snow blindness, teeth grinding, pharyngitis, tetanus and tetany. The leading picture of patients in whom the administration of Cicuta virosa is indicated is strange states of mind such as euphoria followed by mood lows. They suffer from intermittent visual disturbances and disorientation and have an aversion to company. They are sensitive to touch and pain, and spasms may spread over the entire body. The limbs cannot be flexed or extended. Leading symptoms are dizziness and sensitivity to light, a feeling of inner cold and an accompanying strong desire for warmth. Also, this remedy is an extreme remedy on all levels. Strong mood swings are caused by the fact that those affected mourn supposedly happier times, especially childhood, live more in the past than in the present, are more backward-looking than forward-looking. They avoid people and distrust them. For this reason, according to the treatment principle of homeopathy, Cicuta virosa is used for the aforementioned complaint patterns, since water hemlock causes exactly these complaints. Since homeopathy treats like with like, the drug in its potentized form is used as an antidote, so to speak, to activate the self-healing powers of the organism. As a tincture in the form of compresses, water hemlock is effective against protracted skin rashes. Taken internally, it addresses abdominal discomfort and cramps.One to two drops of the dilution in a glass of water twice a day is sufficient. Envelopes are also applied twice a day. Globules are taken five at a time three times a day or three tablets throughout the day. It should not be taken on one’s own responsibility, as the complaints associated with Cicuta virosa also have other medicines such as Nux vomica or Opium in the drug picture, according to the Materia medica. Orthodox medicine occasionally uses Cicuta virosa to treat gout.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
All components of water hemlock are highly toxic, especially the floating tubers, in whose air chambers the toxic components such as polyrins and cicutoxin are highly concentrated. Even consumption of small amounts causes respiratory paralysis. Death may occur if countermeasures are not taken in time. First aid measures may include administration of a strong emetic followed by black coffee in large quantities. Water hemlock self-seeds and is often found in home gardens. However, there is a risk of confusion with edible umbellifers such as parsley, celery, parsnip, and chervil due to their visual similarity. Poisoning by water hemlock can be recognized by a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. The worst symptoms are vomiting of blood, persistent cramps and feelings of intoxication. At the first moment, it is reasonable to assume that it is an outbreak of rabies, because the patient foams at the mouth and gasps until unconsciousness sets in. The mortality rate is fifty percent. However, as a homeopathic medicine or finished preparation, water hemlock is safe. The fresh roots are used, but they are potentized to such an extent that the natural poisonous active ingredients are removed, but the healing effect is retained.
