Ergot is a crescent-shaped, black structure that grows in the ear of corn after a fungal infection of the grain. Ingestion of ergot can lead to dangerous poisoning that can cause nausea, headaches, cramps or paralysis, and in the worst cases, death.
Ergot is caused by the tubular fungus Claviceps purpurea, which can grow as a parasite on various grasses and other host plants. It is most common in rye fields: Ergot, which can also be dangerous to humans. The black grains, usually a few centimeters in size, contain more than 30 alkaloids – some of them very toxic – which can even lead to death if consumed in excess.
Dangerous poisoning
Until the 20th century, there have always been serious mass poisonings caused by the consumption of grains contaminated with ergot. Today, poisonings occur less frequently. The investigation offices of the federal states check grains and flours in the trade on a random basis and withdraw contaminated goods from circulation. In recent years, however, contamination of cereals – especially organically grown ones – with ergot has become known again and again.
What’s happening?
If one eats bread from grain with 1% ergot, certain ergot alkaloids can cause neurological disorders serious enough to cause convulsions and epileptic seizures. Other alkaloids contain a toxin that closes blood vessels, causing black spots on the skin that are not perfused, and limbs, hands, and feet may even die. Because of its terrible symptoms, this mysterious disease used to be called “Antony’s fire.” However, poisoning can also occur due to the excessive use of drugs containing ergot alkaloids. In the past, this was not at all uncommon, as migraine patients in many cases had a high consumption of such drugs.
Medical use
Medicine uses the substances in gynecology – hence probably the name ergot. But ergot alkaloids are also used in migraine treatment. Ergometrine is used for problems after childbirth; ergotamine as a migraine medication has been replaced in many cases today by the triptans.
