C.icuta what is it for We have received questions about the hemlock plant and whether it is toxic to humans. It is definitely a plant that we must be careful. Therefore, it should only be used externally, but before getting into the subject, it is important to know the botanical aspect of hemlock.
This perennial plant grows on marshy banks, in flooded places and in ditches. It measures between 50 and 150 cm.
The stem is tuberous at the base, erect, hollow, and ribbed. At the apex the branches are arranged in whorls. The radical leaves have long petioles and are bi- or tripinnasectate, with a rough surface. The stem leaves have short petioles, are sessile, and are less divided.
The flowers form dense umbels bearing long stalks, without bract involvement or with one or two linear bracts only. The flowers are generally whitish. The fruits are ovoid, with ribs and an inconspicuous calyx.
The hemlock is widespread throughout almost all of Europe; Its distribution area covers, approximately, from the line formed by Madrid, Nápoples and Thessaloniki to the north of the continent.
The plant gives off a faint odor—for some it is like the odor of mice—and contains a large number of poisonous alkaloids, the most important of which is cicutoxin. Livestock poisoning by Hemlock is now rare; in cultivated meadows and thanks to drainage, this plant has disappeared.
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Healing properties (external use only)
It contains alkaloids (coniine, coniceine, conicine, ethylpiperidine, conhydrine…), diosmin, essential oil, carotenoid pigments and hesperidine.
The fruit and leaves are used for curative purposes.
It is important to note that the entire plant emits a fetid odor.
It is considered a powerful sedative, narcotic, analgesic, spasmolytic and calming. The narcotic effect can last more than 40 hours, although with the risk of severe toxic symptoms.
Externally, it is used in the form of liniments for the treatment of rheumatic problems, neuralgia, blows and sciatica.
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Hemlock what is it for
C.icuta what is it for lumbago pain Take a batch of fresh leaves and crush them to make a homogeneous paste. Place it in a gauze and apply the poultice on the affected part. Secure with a bandage. It is changed 2 or 3 times a day.
C.icuta what is it for neuralgia Take a handful of fresh leaves (or more if necessary) and reduce them to a fine paste in a mortar or bowl. Then pass through a fine strainer or sieve. Next, take about 300 g of cultivated carrot root and reduce it by means of a grater to pulp. Mix it with the hemlock until you get a homogeneous mass and apply this poultice on the affected area with gauze.
C.icuta what is it for sciatic pain Place in a container 150 g of crushed fresh leaves and 150 g of lard (without salt). Heat over low heat until the water vapor is completely released. It is then filtered into a jar.
The remedy consists of applying a soft lotion 3 times a day on the affected part. It is also common to put a little butter in a gauze and apply to the affected part. The application is repeated 3 times a day. This recipe was used during the 19th and 20th centuries. It can be affirmed that it is a good auxiliary to relieve neuralgic pain.
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contraindications
Do not use internally
Avoid its use both internally and externally in cases of pregnancy and lactation. They should also be avoided by children.
It is necessary to point out that the poisoning causes nervous excitability, intense pupillary dilation, respiratory paralysis, rashes and intense itching.
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