Cicuta virosa (cowbane or northern water hemlock) is a species of Cicuta, native to northern and centralEurope, northern Asia and northwestern North America.
Contents
Uses
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).
Benefits
- The homeopathic remedy cicuta is prescribed for treating trembling and sporadic jerks, particularly when the head is turned toward the back – for instance, in the case of meningitis, epilepsy, eclampsia and paralysis as well as for treating the repercussions of head injuries. Individuals who require this homeopathic medicine are likely to have a craving to consume inedible substances like chalk.
- Cicuta is effective in healing any kind of ailment occurring following a head injury – irrespective of being physical or mental. In fact, use of this homeopathic medicine in such cases has been found to work wonders. The homeopathic remedy cicuta is also effective for treating skin eruptions or eczema on the beard or scalp. This medicine is considered to be excellent for the barber’s itch (inflammation of hair follicles). In addition, cicuta is also an excellent remedy for skin affections, pustules (a small rise of the skin containing pus) which accompany each other forming dense, yellow scab or coating on the face, head and other parts of the body.
- People enduring epileptic seizures that are distinguished by abrupt, violent jerking of the body respond well to the homeopathic remedy cicuta. In fact, in homeopathy, cicuta is the best medicine for such conditions. Treatment with cicuta works particularly well for people who have muscle spasms when they are touched. Other people who benefit from the use of cicuta are those who have symptoms, such as locked jaw, flushed face and frothing at the mouth during a convulsion.
The homeopathic remedy cicuta ought to be taken by individuals having tetanus and suffering from convulsions or body jerks that are usually followed by prostration. In addition, people who have their body bent backwards and muscles that become rigid as they tremble also benefit immensely from the use of the homeopathic remedy cicuta.
Cautions
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, heartproblems, kidney failure, coma, and death.
Interactions
Lithium interacts with WATER HEMLOCK
Water 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.
Other names
Beaver Poison, Brook-Tongue, Carotte à Moreau, Children’s Bane, Cicuta, Cicuta bulbifera, Cicuta californica, Cicuta douglasii, Cicuta mackenzieana, Cicuta maculata, Cicuta occidentalis, Cicuta vagans, 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, Sium douglasii, Snake Weed, Snakeroot, Spotted Cowbane, Spotted Hemlock, Spotted Parsley, Wasser-Schierling, Wild Carrot, Wild Dill, Wild Parsnip
References
Herbs2000, http://www.herbs2000.com/homeopathy/cicuta.htm
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicuta_virosa