Water Hemlock
OTHER NAME(S): Beaver Poison, Brook-Tongue, Carotte à Moreau, Children's Bane, Cicutaire Bulbifère, Cicutaire du Nord, Cigüe Aquatique, Ciguë des Marais, Ciguë Vénéneuse, Ciguë Vireuse, Cowbane, Death-of-Man, European Water Hemlock, False Parsley, Fever Root, Mockeel Root, Muskrat Weed, Musquash Root, Persil des Chats, Persil des Fous, Persil des Marais, Poison Parsnip, Snake Weed, Snakeroot, Spotted Cowbane, Spotted Hemlock, Spotted Parsley, Wasser-Schierling, Wild Carrot, Wild Dill, Wild Parsnip, Cicuta virosa, Cicuta mackenzieana, Cicuta maculata, Cicuta douglasii, Cicuta californica, Cicuta vagans, Sium douglasii, Cicuta occidentalis, Cicuta bulbifera, Cicuta, Ciguë Aquatique
Overview
Water hemlock is considered to be the most poisonous plant growing in North America. All parts of the water hemlock are toxic and can cause death in as little as 15 minutes.
Water hemlock grows in marshy, swampy areas of meadows; and along banks of streams, pools, and rivers. Accidental poisonings usually occur when water hemlock is mistaken for edible plants such as artichokes, celery, sweet potatoes, sweet anise, or wild parsnip.
Water hemlock contains ingredients that are poisonous and have many dangerous effects on the body.
Even though water hemlock is extremely poisonous, it is used as a medicine for migraine headaches, painful menstruation, and worms in the intestines.
Some people apply water hemlock directly to the skin for redness and swelling (inflammation).
Water hemlock contains ingredients that are poisonous and have many dangerous effects on the body.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Migraine headaches.
- Painful menstrual periods.
- Intestinal worms.
- Skin redness and swelling (inflammation), when applied to the affected area.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of water hemlock for these uses.
Precautions
Water hemlock is UNSAFE for anyone to take by mouth or apply to the skin. All plant parts are poisonous and can cause death in as little as 15 minutes. Even applying water hemlock to your skin can cause death. Get immediate medical attention if you have taken water hemlock. The first symptoms of water hemlock poisoning are drooling, nausea, vomiting, wheezing, sweating, dizziness, stomach pain, flushing, weakness/tiredness (lethargy), delirium, and uncontrollable bowel movements. These are followed by more serious symptoms including trouble breathing, convulsions, heart problems, kidney failure, coma, and death.
It is UNSAFE for anyone to use water hemlock, but some people have extra reasons to avoid use.
Children: Use of water hemlock is UNSAFE and can be fatal, especially in children. Children can be poisoned by even small amounts of water hemlock. Some children have died after just using hollow water hemlock stems as peashooters, flutes, or whistles; or rubbing the plant on their skin.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Use of water hemlock is UNSAFE and can be fatal for both the mother and her unborn child.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Lithium interacts with Water HemlockWater hemlock might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking water hemlock might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of water hemlock depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for water hemlock. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
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- Starreveld E, Hope E. Cicutoxin poisoning (water hemlock). Neurol 1975;25:730-4.
- Costanza DJ, Hoversten VW. Accidental ingestion of water hemlock. Report of two patients with acute and chronic effects. Calif Med 1973;119:78-82.
- Knutsen OH, Paszkowski P. New aspects in the treatment of water hemlock poisoning. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1984;22:157-66.
- Anon. Water hemlock poisoning - Maine, 1992. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1994;43:229-31. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00026056.htm.
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- Costanza, D. J. and Hoversten, V. W. Accidental ingestion of water hemlock. Report of two patients with acute and chronic effects. Calif.Med. 1973;119(2):78-82.
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- Withers, L. M., Cole, F. R., and Nelson, R. B. Water-hemlock poisoning. N.Engl.J.Med. 9-4-1969;281(10):566-567.
- Marcinkowski, T. and Porawski, R. [Cicuta virosa poisoning]. Wiad.Lek. 1-15-1966;19(2):139-141.
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- van Heijst, A. N., Pikaar, S. A., van Kesteren, R. G., and Douze, J. M. [Poisoning due to water hemlock (Cicuta virosa)]. Ned.Tijdschr.Geneeskd. 12-31-1983;127(53):2411-2413.
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- Water hemlock poisoning--Maine, 1992. MMWR Morb.Mortal.Wkly.Rep. 4-8-1994;43(13):229-231.
- From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water hemlock poisoning--Maine, 1992. JAMA 5-18-1994;271(19):1475.
- Mutter, L. Poisoning by Western Water Hemlock. Can.J.Public Health 1976;67(5):386.