John Myers
Many poisonous plants can be quite formidable. After all, they are often deadly even in the smallest quantities. In homeopathy and also partly in conventional medicine, however, they play an important role because of their often impressive healing effects. Get to know local poisonous plants and their amazing healing powers. Find out which poisonous plant can be used for pain, fever, the circulatory system, hyperactivity, and for a weak heart – in homeopathic form, of course!
Medicinal plant or poisonous plant?
Even in ancient times, people knew about the often deadly effects of certain plants. The Greek philosopher Socrates was executed with a drink made from highly poisonous hemlock (Conium maculatum), the famous hemlock cup.
And Emperor Claudius breathed his last thanks to a purely herbal poisoning. His wife Agrippina is said to have mixed the deadly aconite (Aconitum napellus) into his food.
In the meantime, the ingredients and modes of action of many such poisonous plants have been researched so well that they can be used – in the right dosage – for healing. The two plants mentioned above are among the most important homeopathic medicines.
Many medicines used in conventional medicine originally come from highly toxic plants. For example, some heart medications contain the active ingredients of lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) or foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), which you can read more about in our article on cardiac arrhythmias.
Cancer therapy also benefits from the toxicity of certain medicinal plants. For example, chemotherapeutic agents from the taxane group have been used in breast cancer since the 1990s. These toxic taxane compounds are found in the bark of the California yew tree (Taxus brevifolia). It was also possible to isolate ingredients from the European yew tree (Taxus baccata) and use them in breast, ovarian, bronchial, and prostate cancer.
Mistletoe is also a poisonous plant, albeit a mildly poisonous one. A recent study showed that mistletoe therapy, which is otherwise better known for breast cancer, can also be successful as an effective second-line therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer.
However, while conventional medicine uses the actual toxins in a well-dosed manner, many of the poisonous plants presented below are used in homeopathy in particular. They lose their toxicity through homeopathic preparation. However, they should only be used after consultation with a homeopath, so that the individually correct remedy is actually chosen.
Note: Since we are repeatedly criticized by the so-called fact checkers who are oriented towards conventional medicine because of our contributions to homeopathy, here is the information they wanted: From the point of view of evidence-based medicine, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy.
No own experiments with poisonous plants!
Of course, you should never make teas, tinctures, or other preparations from poisonous plants. The transition between healing and poisonous effects is often too small so there is a great danger of causing more harm than good and, in extreme cases, of transporting oneself across the Jordan. In the case of poisonous plants, you should always use one of the many available ready-made preparations. Let’s start with the plants from the most well-known category of poisonous plants: the nightshade family.
Nightshade: Some are edible, others are poisonous
The nightshade family (Solanaceae) includes around 2,500 species, most of which are more or less poisonous. Originally native to Central and South America, they now also grow in our latitudes.
The best-known representatives of the nightshade family can be found in the crop sector, namely the tomato and the potato. These two types of vegetables also contain slightly toxic substances (solanine) – but only in the green parts. Therefore, avoid unripe tomatoes and remove the green stalks. The same applies to the green skins and sprouts of the potato.
Solanine dissolves in hot water, which is why you should also throw away the potato cooking water and not use it for anything else.
Nevertheless, there are a number of nightshade plants that are highly toxic and – not even with restrictions – are by no means suitable as food, e.g. B. the black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), the henbane (Hyoscyamus), the datura (Datura) or the deadly nightshade (Atropa). Poisoning of these nightshade plants can manifest itself in dehydration of the mucous membranes, scarlet skin, dilated pupils, cardiac arrhythmias, and respiratory paralysis. They can therefore be deadly in the appropriate dose – which does not have to be that large.
Nightshade plants for witches and shamans
Some nightshades are also psychoactive plants. This means that they have a hallucinogenic effect, i.e. they influence the state of consciousness and the psyche. Shamans and magicians also knew about this intoxicating effect and used it to make incense powder to put themselves in a trance more easily.
Witches, on the other hand, made their so-called “flying ointment” from psychoactive plants, which helped them fly on their broomsticks or let them switch to other states of consciousness. Several top-class poisonous plants were processed in the “flight ointment”. In addition to the nightshade plants deadly nightshade, henbane, and black nightshade spotted hemlock (see above keyword Socrates), hellebore and monkshood were also used.
The latter is so poisonous that about 1 to 2 g of it is enough to die, while deadly nightshade can contain as many as 12 berries before things get serious (especially for children).
Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
The name “Atropa” is said to come from the ancient Greek myth about the three goddesses of fate, Klotho, Lachesis, and Atropos: Klotho spins the thread of life, Lachesis allocates the lifeless, and Atropos (Greek “merciless”) finally cuts the thread of life again, namely when she decides that the last hour has come.
We call this plant deadly nightshade because the Germanic tribes knew about the highly stimulating effect of the plant, which led to fits of rage, and they roused themselves for battle with a drink made from the deadly nightshade. All parts of the deadly nightshade are poisonous, but interestingly not for all living beings. Sheep and goats, as well as many songbirds, can happily feast on it without feeling the slightest sign of intoxication.
The deadly nightshade in conventional medicine
The active ingredients of deadly nightshade – in particular the alkaloid atropine – have now been thoroughly pharmacologically examined. Atropine produces a muscle-relaxing and antispasmodic effect on the intestines and can therefore help with colicky pain in the intestines, stomach, kidneys, or gallbladder.
In addition, spasms (cramps) of the bronchi are eliminated, which can alleviate the symptoms of asthma. However, the potential harms are said to outweigh the benefits, so atropine is no longer recommended for these purposes.
Atropine is still used in ophthalmology. When atropine is instilled in the eye for diagnostic purposes, the pupil dilates and the fundus of the eye can be illuminated more easily.
Atropine used internally increases the heart rate. In emergency medicine, atropine is therefore given short-term when people suffer from bradycardia (a heartbeat that is too slow).
For those interested in naturopathy, on the other hand, much more interesting are homeopathic preparations, which in the case of deadly nightshade can occupy an important place in the medicine cabinet.
Deadly nightshade in homeopathy: belladonna for pain
Homeopathic preparations made from deadly nightshade are called belladonna. Belladonna can always be used in acute cases when pain (including cramps), inflammation, and/or fever suddenly occur.
Therefore, the remedy is often recommended for high fever, migraine attacks, and acute colic. Homeopaths prescribe Belladonna for children, for example, for middle ear infections or for discomfort during teething (relieving pain when teething).
Datura (Datura stramonium)
Throughout Europe, Datura is often found on rubble heaps, along roadsides, or in gardens and fields. Datura is similarly poisonous as the deadly nightshade. In overdoses – which are reached quickly – it can lead to convulsions and seizures and even death.
The datura in conventional medicine
The main active ingredient in Datura is scopolamine, which is used in conventional medicine to treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, e.g. B. is used in connection with seasickness and motion sickness. Today, however, it is only a patch that contains the active ingredient and can be stuck to the skin behind the ear before the trip.
In an American study, physicians were also able to demonstrate an antidepressant effect of scopolamine – but only if it is dosed correctly, which is not easy. Because apart from the fact that most patients complained about side effects such as the dry mouth and slight visual disturbances even at low doses, uncontrolled intake of Datura leads directly to the opposite: the affected person falls into a state of confusion, rages, lashes out, destroys objects, makes obscene speeches and breaks out in belligerence.
Because of this effect, Datura is considered the ideal remedy for hyperactive children in homeopathy (healing like with like) – of course only in homeopathic preparation!
Datura in homeopathy: Stramonium for hyperactive children
Stramonium is considered in homeopathy to be suitable for people, especially children, who suddenly act with outbursts of anger, destroy things in a blind rage, bite or even spit and kick around. At the same time, Stramonium people are afraid of the dark and can sleep only when the light is on in the room.
Therefore, Stramonium is often given to hyperactive children. Datura is also used homeopathically for manic states, hallucinations, delirium, or seizures, especially when these states are associated with anxiety attacks.
Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger): Smoothes scars
A Greek doctor called henbane pork bean because the plant does not appear to have any poisonous effect on pigs, but 10 to 12 seeds are enough to kill a child. The symptoms of poisoning are similar to those of deadly nightshade and datura.
Despite its toxicity, a little henbane was often added to beer in the past to increase the intoxicating effect. Since henbane also dries out the mucous membranes, the innkeeper was happy about the good business.
This already shows that the effect of henbane is not particularly different from that of deadly nightshade or datura. And, according to folk medicine, henbane is also said to have a pain-relieving and calming effect (e.g. for neuralgia or spasmodic coughs) and to relax gastrointestinal problems.
Today, henbane or oil made from it can still be found in scar creams, as it is said to be able to smooth out scars. Internal applications are only advisable in homeopathic doses.
Henbane in homeopathy: Hyoscyamus against a dry, irritating cough
In homeopathy, henbane is called the hyoscyamus. It is contained in homeopathic dosages in some cough and bronchial syrups or in medicines for nervous heart problems.
At the height of homeopathy at the beginning of the last century, Hyoscyamus was a major remedy for “insane asylums”. Here, henbane was mainly used in manic patients who behaved shamelessly and – often accompanied by twitches and tics – was exhibitionistic. And even today, in homeopathy, henbane is THE remedy for people who – e.g. B. due to jealousy attacks – swearing or swearing, who are pathologically suspicious and have their fingers constantly in motion.
It is also used for nocturnal dry cough (tickling cough) and is said to help with coughing fits.
In addition to the nightshade family, other highly toxic plants can be found in nature, some of which have amazing effects. For example, the autumn crocus is a medicinal plant that has been used in conventional medicine for a long time to treat gout.
Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale): A remedy for gout
In contrast to the spring crocus, which the autumn crocus looks very similar to, Colchicum only flowers in autumn. The most dangerous active ingredient in this plant is colchicine.
The symptoms of poisoning caused by the autumn crocus are primarily vomiting and severe, bloody diarrhea. In the further course, shortness of breath and heart failure or – should one survive the autumn crocus meal – permanent severe kidney damage can occur.
When hiking in the mountains, watch out for your children when they see this pretty plant, because as little as 1.5 g of the seeds can have a lethal effect on a child’s organism. However, most colchicine poisoning originates elsewhere.
The autumn crocus in conventional medicine
Since conventional medicine uses drugs with the autumn crocus for gout, an overdose can lead to poisoning, because the prescribed dose must never be exceeded, which of course can still happen to one or the other patient. Colchicine is one of the oldest remedies for gout and rheumatism and is still used in this area today. The German Society for Rheumatology (DGRh eV) recommends colchicine in addition to cortisone and diclofenac in rheumatism therapy.
According to a Swiss study, colchicine is also said to provide the best service for heart sac inflammation (pericarditis). And in the search for new chemotherapeutic agents, there have even been studies with colchicine as a potential cancer drug for some time.
The autumn crocus in homeopathy: Colchicum against nausea during pregnancy
The homeopathically prepared Colchicum is used in the same way as the conventional medicines used to treat autumn crocuses for gouty and rheumatic complaints – only here without the risk of poisoning.
In homeopathy, however, Colchicum has also been found to be suitable for people who suffer from a strong olfactory sensitivity to kitchen and food odors and who feel nauseous at the mere thought of certain dishes. As a result, Colchicum is a remedy recommended for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
If nausea and vomiting are more likely to be due to spoiled or poorly tolerated food, then Veratrum album, the white hellebore, which is also a poisonous plant, can be used in homeopathy.
White Hellebore (Veratrum album)
The white hellebore (also called white Germer) is probably one of the most poisonous plants in Europe. This can be dangerous for gentian or valerian collectors because the roots of these three plants are very similar. When eating hellebore, sneezing occurs first, which is why this plant was part of sneeze powder in earlier times.
Soon, however, there is numbness in the tongue and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle spasms, and a feeling of cold all over the body. Eventually, the blood pressure will drop. Since just 1 to 2 g of Germer root can have deadly effects, it is worth collecting gentian or valerian with care.
The white hellebore in conventional medicine
White Hellebore has a strong influence on blood pressure. Therefore, there were attempts in conventional medicine to produce a blood pressure drug from it. Unfortunately, the side effects were too great to bring it to market. In folk medicine, however, hellebore was at least used externally: a decoction of the roots was used to strengthen the hair and prevent dandruff.
Hellebore is also used internally homeopathically. On the one hand – as mentioned above – for nausea and vomiting. On the other hand, however, also for circulatory problems of all kinds.
White Hellebore in Homeopathy: Veratrum album for the circulatory system
It is precisely its effect on blood pressure and thus on the cardiovascular system that makes white hellebore the ultimate anti-collapse remedy in homeopathy. Veratrum Album is therefore the drug of choice for poor circulation with cold, pale skin, blue lips, and cold sweat. So if you tend to faint or have low blood pressure, homeopaths may prescribe Veratrum album.
Another homeopathic cardiovascular remedy is the lily of the valley – one of the most well-known poisonous plants in our latitudes.
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
All wild garlic collectors know: the lily of the valley, which is so similar to wild garlic, is poisonous! Although you can recognize wild garlic by its garlic-like smell or the lily of the valley by the lack of wild garlic smell, you often do not eat each leaf individually.
It is not unusual to prepare a wild garlic pesto and mix all the leaves you have collected into it. If you accidentally picked a few lilies of the valley leaves, no one can taste the poisonous admixture. However, the lily of the valley leaves appears much later in spring. Usually, the wild garlic is already in full bloom. So if you discover tender and young (supposed) wild garlic leaves without any blossoming in May, then they are lily of the valley.
It is true that the lily of the valley appears to be far less poisonous than was previously thought. Nevertheless, headaches, nausea, vomiting, an enormous urge to urinate, and, above all, severe cardiac arrhythmia can occur if you eat from it. At least twenty ingredients are known for the powerful effect of lily of the valley on the heart, including convallatoxin and convallamarin.
The lily of the valley in homeopathy: Convallaria for the weak heart
The lily of the valley is used in homeopathy for the reasons mentioned above for the heart – namely in cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac insufficiency and the associated accumulation of water in the body. Convallaria is also used in the homeopathic form for nervous heart problems.
As the last candidate, we would like to introduce you to the king of European poisonous plants: the monkshood.
Monkshood (Aconitum napellus)
The blue monkshood is probably the most poisonous plant in Europe. You already know him as Agrippina’s henchman in the murder of her husband Emperor Claudius. The toxic substance in aconite is called aconitine. Of these, 3 to 6 mg are sufficient to have a lethal effect.
The most toxic part of monkshood is its root. It is said that symptoms of poisoning have already occurred after a child is said to have held the root in his hand for a long time.
If you poison yourself with this plant, numbness and icy cold all over your body will occur fairly quickly. Vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps are added. Depending on the dose, this can lead to unconsciousness and, in the worst case, respiratory paralysis.
But if used carefully, monkshood can also calm the pain, namely that of the nervous system. It was therefore used externally in the past as an ointment for trigeminal neuralgia (pain in the facial nerves). In homeopathy, monkshood is the vanguard of deadly nightshade. Only when aconite is no longer effective does belladonna come into play.
Monkshood in homeopathy: Aconite against fever and acute inflammation
In homeopathy, aconite is used at the beginning of highly acute, inflammatory conditions and feverish colds – in fact, for all symptoms that start suddenly and with great severity. Rapidly rising fever and unbearable pain are just as much a sign of Aconitum as panic and anxiety attacks or great physical and mental restlessness.
Homeopathic poisonous plants: how to dose?
In homeopathy, poisonous plants, therefore, belong in every medicine cabinet. In order to find out the correct potency and dose of the chosen homeopathic remedy, we advise you to consult an experienced homeopath or at least get hold of a book on homeopathy.
