- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe and North Africa
- Traditions
- Greco-Roman medicine
Europe · Herb · № 836
Conium maculatum
Herb · Europe
Poison hemlock
Conium maculatum
A deadly poisonous member of the carrot family. Its poison, coniine, paralyses the muscles, including those used for breathing.
Safety notes
Deadly poisonous, even in small amounts. Resembles edible members of the carrot family such as chervil and wild parsley.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Western herbalism: Deadly poisonous; it is confused with wild carrot and cow parsley.
Preparation
Do not use.
Use in traditions
Used in ancient Athens to execute those condemned to death; the philosopher Socrates died in 399 BCE from a cup of hemlock.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Used for executions in antiquity; in the Middle Ages in small amounts as a painkiller and in soporific sponges.
Preparation and amount
Do not prepare or use it yourself.
Caution: Deadly poisonous; it is confused with wild carrot and cow parsley.