Milestone is not only a dangerous plant

Poisonous plants are an integral part of the surrounding nature. The presence of toxins in them is the process of evolution to protect against natural enemies. Some poisonous plants cause only slight malaise, while others are deadly and can kill in a matter of seconds. One of these is tsikuta - it is a milestone - the grass of the umbrella family. It is very similar to parsley, not only externally, but also the smell.

a brief description of

Milestone is a perennial plant (in contrast to parsley) from the umbrella family. The height can reach 150 centimeters. Cicuta has a round hollow stem, branched from above, and hollow interstices. At the bottom there are long accessory rhizomes. The root system itself is vertical. Rhizome fleshy, with weak roots, so it is very easy to pull out of the earth.

The petiolate leaves have a double or triple pinnate dissection, the edges of the lanceolate lobes are sharply serrate. Flowers milestone dense, umbrellas have 10-20 rays. Several color-bearing umbrellas can be located on the shoot. Flowering begins in the middle of summer - in July-August.

In appearance, the landmark reminds one more plant - hemlock. But if you carefully consider the photo, the poisonous milestone has a noticeable difference. On the lower part of its stem there are no brown spots and mealy deposits.

Distribution and growth

Cicuta is a frost-resistant plant. At the same time, it does not grow in regions with a small amount of precipitation - the greatest spread of the landmark is observed in forest-steppe areas on wet meadows, wetlands, in shallow waters. The plant can be found in China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Japan, Korea, Siberia, South-West Asia, the Caucasus and the Far East, in European countries.

The poison of a plant

As already mentioned, milestones are a poisonous plant. It contains a cicutotoxin. The most milestone is poisonous in spring and autumn - the toxin concentration reaches a maximum. The greatest accumulation of cicutotoxin in rhizomes, in smaller doses - in leaves of flowers and stems.

Poison refers to poisonous alcohols, the lethal outcome is due to the strongest poisoning of the central nervous system. Its chemical formula is C ₁₇ H ₂₂ O ₂ . It is a noncompetitive antagonist of gamma-aminobutyric acid, which takes part in the neurotransmitter and metabolic processes of the brain.

The first signs of poisoning and assistance

A poison that contains milestones is a very dangerous toxin. It is enough to accidentally eat several stems or leaves in the food - there comes the strongest poisoning. The first signs of poisoning appear in the first minutes after ingestion.

First of all, there comes a general malaise, then there is a severe headache, dizziness, increased salivation, then nausea and vomiting. After a while, the poisoned person loses consciousness, and seizures begin. Duration and frequency depend on the amount of toxin that has got into the body. Paralysis of the nervous system and respiratory tract occurs. Death most often comes within an hour.

If there is a suspicion that the body has been exposed to food along with food, this means that urgent measures must be taken to prevent further exposure of the toxin to the body. It is necessary to wash the stomach with a solution of potassium permanganate. Be sure to drink activated charcoal 5-10 tablets (depending on the weight of the victim). Cleansing enemas are also needed, and inside - liquid jelly in large quantities. The victim should be delivered to the hospital as soon as possible.

Composition of substances that are contained in the plant

In addition to cicutotoxin, the plant contains many other substances. It contains flavonoids - isoramnetin and quercetin. And also essential oil, which contains cicutol and non-toxic substances - pinene and fillandren. All these substances are used in pharmacology and various chemical industries.

Application of Cicuta in medicine

Despite the fact that the plant is poisonous, it is used to make medicines for the treatment of cancer, epilepsy and skin diseases. Also used as a sedative poisonous milestones - reviews indicate that in certain amounts the body has a sedative effect. In homeopathy, cicuta is used in the treatment of migraine headaches, tetanus convulsions, whooping cough, bronchial asthma, gout, rheumatism.

Preparation of medicines from cicuta at home

For the medicine is suitable and rhizomes, and stems, and change - the milestones in this regard is a universal plant. The workpiece should be carried in protective gloves and ensure that the plant does not touch the exposed areas of the skin.

To prepare the tincture you will need directly the herb or its rhizomes. They need to grind and prepare a teaspoon without a slide (in a fine powder) and pour a glass of alcohol. Insist the mixture should be in a cool dark place for 17 days. This tincture is used externally for the treatment of gout and rheumatism.

To prepare the ointment at home, you will need baked pig fat (300 grams) and a teaspoon of milestone powder (rhizomes or herbs). The mixture is infused for 10 days. It is also used to treat rheumatism or gout.

Before using drugs that contain the poison of cicuta, it is necessary to consult a doctor. The organism of each individual, the susceptibility to the effects of drugs is different. In addition, there may be an individual intolerance or increased sensitivity to substances contained in the grass or rhizome of the landmark.