Water hemlock (Cicuta spp.)

Category

Herbs & Supplements

Synonyms

Apiaceae (family), bulblet-bearing water hemlock, Cicuta, Cicuta bulbifera, Cicuta douglasii, Cicuta maculata, Cicuta virosa, cicutoxin, cowbane, fool's parsley, northern water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, water hemlock, western water hemlock.

Note: Several accidental poisonings have been reported due to confusion of water hemlock roots with turnip, parsnip, or wild carrot. Water hemlock (Cicuta spp.) should not be confused with poison hemlock (Conium spp.), although the species have similar common names and similar general appearance.

Background

Water hemlock grows in temperate wet, marshy areas in mainly North America. According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), "water hemlock is the most violently toxic plant that grows in North America."

Water hemlock is sometimes mistaken for parsnips, due to the similar appearance of their white tuberous roots.

Although water hemlock was rarely used for headache according to traditional use, there is insufficient available evidence in humans or animals to support the use of water hemlock for any indication.

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Headache.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older):

Avoid in all patients as water hemlock is highly toxic and may lead to death.

Children (younger than 18 years):

Avoid in all patients as water hemlock is highly toxic and may lead to death.

Safety

DISCLAIMER: Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Allergies

Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to water hemlock (Cicuta spp.) or its constituents.

Side Effects and Warnings

Avoid water hemlock as it is highly toxic and may cause vomiting, acute renal (kidney) failure, marked metabolic acidosis (acidic blood), drowsiness, seizures and convulsions, or unconsciousness that may lead to death.

Taking water hemlock by mouth may cause an explosive illness with orthostatic hypotension (decreased blood pressure upon standing) or tachycardia (increased heartbeat). It may also cause dilated pupils, discoloration of the skin due a lack of oxygen in the blood, and a breakdown of skeletal muscle due to injury.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding as water hemlock is highly toxic and may lead to death.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs

Taking water hemlock by mouth may cause an explosive illness with seizures and convulsions that may lead to death. Caution is advised when combining water hemlock with anticonvulsive agents, or agents that may lower seizure threshold.

Taking water hemlock by mouth may cause orthostatic hypotension (decreased blood pressure upon standing) or tachycardia (increased heartbeat). In theory, water hemlock may interact with other cardiac (heart) agents.

Water hemlock may also cause rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of skeletal muscle due to injury), marked metabolic acidosis (acidic blood), or acute renal (kidney) failure. Based on these effects, caution is advised when taking water hemlock with agents that are excreted through the kidneys.

Water hemlock may also interact with sedatives, as neurologic lethargy (drowsiness), or unconsciousness that may lead to death has been reported.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Taking water hemlock by mouth may cause an explosive illness with seizures and convulsions that may lead to death. Caution is advised when combining water hemlock with herbs that have anticonvulsive effects, or herbs that may lower seizure threshold.

Taking water hemlock by mouth may cause orthostatic hypotension (decreased blood pressure upon standing) or tachycardia (increased heartbeat). In theory, water hemlock may interact with other herbs or supplements with potential cardiac (heart) effects.

Water hemlock may also cause rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of skeletal muscle due to injury), marked metabolic acidosis (acidic blood), or acute renal (kidney) failure. Based on these effects, caution is advised when taking water hemlock with agents that are excreted through the kidneys.

Water hemlock may also interact with sedatives, as neurologic lethargy (drowsiness), or unconsciousness that may lead to death has been reported.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature, and was peer-reviewed and edited by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com): Dawn Costa, BA, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Nicole Giese, MS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Emily Kyomitmaitee, PharmD (University of Rhode Island); Shaina Tanguay-Colucci, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD (Massachusetts General Hospital); Wendy Weissner, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration).

Bibliography

DISCLAIMER: Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

Applefeld JJ, Caplan ES. A case of water hemlock poisoning. JACEP. 1979;8(10):401-403.

Carlton BE, Tufts E, Girard DE. Water hemlock poisoning complicated by rhabdomyolysis and renal failure. Clin.Toxicol. 1979;14(1):87-92.

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water hemlock poisoning--Maine, 1992. JAMA 5-18-1994;271(19):1475.

Haupt H. [Poisonous and less poisonous plants. Conium maculatum and Cicuta virosa]. Kinderkrankenschwester. 2003;22(11):495-496.

Heath KB. A fatal case of apparent water hemlock poisoning. Vet.Hum.Toxicol. 2001;43(1):35-36.

Knutsen OH. Paszkowski P. New aspects in the treatment of water hemlock poisoning. J.Toxicol.Clin.Toxicol. 1984;22(2):157-166.

Koloshtivina OV. [Poisonings of children by water hemlock]. Med.Sestra. 1980;39(10):37-38.

Landers D, Seppi K, Blauer W. Seizures and death on a white river float trip. Report of water hemlock poisoning. West J.Med. 1985;142(5):637-640.

Lkhagvazhav Kh, Biambasuren Ch, Maslov AV. [Group poisoning by water hemlock]. Sud.Med.Ekspert. 1980;23(3):51-52.

Mack RB. Keats, Socrates and fool's parsley--water hemlock poisoning. N.C.Med.J. 1985;46(3):163-164.

Muratova LM. [Providing aid before the hospital stage to children with water hemlock poisoning]. Feldsher.Akush. 1981;46(5):38-40.

Rizzi D, Basile C, Di Maggio A, et al. Clinical spectrum of accidental hemlock poisoning: neurotoxic manifestations, rhabdomyolysis and acute tubular necrosis. Nephrol.Dial.Transplant. 1991;6(12):939-943.

Short J. Water hemlock poisoning. Emerg.Nurse 2006;14(7):18-19.

van Heijst AN, Pikaar SA, van Kesteren RG, et al. [Poisoning due to water hemlock (Cicuta virosa)]. Ned.Tijdschr.Geneeskd. 12-31-1983;127(53):2411-2413.

Water hemlock poisoning--Maine, 1992. MMWR Morb.Mortal.Wkly.Rep. 4-8-1994;43(13):229-231.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.