Milestone poisonous, also known as cycuta,is a perennial herb that belongs to the umbrella family. Branchy hemlock can reach 150 centimeters in height. The medicinal plant has a large, poisonous rhizome, numerous branches of which are half a centimeter thick, and white small flowers. The hollow rhizome is a "diagnostic" sign of hemlock.
The milestone poisonous blooms from June to August, and the fruits,which are rounded dark brown dvsesemyanki, finally ripen by September. Plant reproduction occurs with the help of seeds. The main growing areas of cycuta are areas with a sufficient amount of water, in particular, peat, grass and bush swamps, lakeshores, wet meadows and alders. Almost all areas of the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, the Far East and Siberia are the main sites for the spread of the poisonous milestone. Also, it can often be found in the countries of Central Asia.
Poisonous milestone - the plant is very dangerous, soits use requires special care. A great threat to health is the rhizome of cicuta, which contains up to two percent of the dangerous substance - cicutoxin. There is a legend about this plant, according to which, the great thinker Socrates drank a drink made from a poisonous milestone, and died suddenly. This kind of execution at that time was the most humane way for a painless escape to another world. From the rhizome of the plant, which has a spicy smell and sweet taste, a very dangerous resinous juice, which causes fatal poisoning in 50% of cases, comes out in the incision.
Medicinal landmarks poisonous applied inmedicine, especially with epilepsy, dizziness and convulsions. Traditional medicine uses hemlock as a sedative, anticonvulsant and expectorant in the form of infusions. Ointments made from it are used for lower back pain and arthritis. During the procurement of this plant in no case can not taste it and involve children in the process, it is important to carefully observe the precautions. The finished medicinal raw materials obtained from the milestone, after collection and drying, are stored in boxes separately from other herbs.
Because poisonous grass is a plant,life-threatening if used improperly, it must be applied very carefully and under medical supervision. Cicuta poisoning is accompanied by headaches, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. There is also an imbalance and a feeling of cold. The rhizome of the plant is especially toxic in spring, but at other times of the year the degree of danger remains very high. Cicutoxin, which is contained in a powerful rhizome of cycuta, is not destroyed by such factors as high temperature and long-term storage. Often in early spring, this plant becomes the cause of poisoning of many animals that are not very well versed in the grass eaten.
