P
Dysmenorrhea (f; CRC); Eczema (f; CRC); Edema (f; JLH); Encephalosis (f; PH2); Enterosis (f; JLH);
Epilepsy (f; CRC; PHR; PH2); Erysipelas (f; CRC); Heart (f; CRC); Hepatosis (f; CRC; JLH); High
Blood Pressure (1; PH2); Hyperlactation (f; CRC); Icterus (f; CRC); Impotence (f; CRC); Induration
(f; JLH); Insomnia (f; CRC); Jaundice (f; CRC); Laryngosis (f; CRC); Leprosy (f; CRC); Low Blood
Pressure (1; PH2); Mania (f; CRC); Myosis (f; PHR; PH2); Neck (f; PHR); Nervousness (f; CRC);
Neuralgia (f; CRC; PHR; PH2); Orchosis (f; JLH); Pain (f; CRC; JLH); Palpitation (f; CRC); Pancre-
atosis (f; CRC; JLH); Paralysis (f; CRC); Parotosis (f; JLH); Pertussis (f; CRC); Pylorosis (f; PH2);
Rheumatism (f; CRC; PHR); Sciatica (f; PHR; PH2); Scirrhus (f; JLH); Sclerosis (f; CRC); Scrofula
(f; CRC); Sore (f; CRC); Spasm (f; CRC); Splenosis (f; JLH); Stye (f; CRC); Swelling (f; CRC); Syphilis
(f; CRC); Tetanus (f; CRC; PHR); Tumor (f; CRC); Ulcer (f; CRC); Vertigo (f; CRC); Wen (f; JLH).
Dosages (Poison Hemlock) — Do not use it (JAD). Many of the indications are homeopathic.
Maximum dose 300 mg; standard dose 100 mg; not to exceed 1500 mg/day (HHB; PHR; PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Poison Hemlock) — Not covered (AHP).
Classed by the FDA as unsafe containing the poisonous alkaloid coniine and other closely related
alkaloids. Can cause contact dermatosis. Ingestion may cause debility, drowsiness, nausea, labored
respiration, paralysis, asphyxia, and death. “Following lethal doses, animals rapidly begin to show
symptoms; among them: paralysis of the tongue, mydriasis, head pressure, giddiness, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, and collapse into central paralysis, first the feet and legs, then the buttocks,
arms, then paralysis of swallowing and speech. With increasing dyspnea and cyanosis, death ensues
through central respiratory paralysis. LD is about 500–1000 mg coniine for man.” (CRC; HHB)
(Note that in CRC (1985) I misquoted HHB and said 500 to 100).
POISON IVY (Toxicodendron pubescens Mill.) XSynonyms: Rhus toxicodendron L., R. toxicodendron var. quercifolium Michx., Toxicodendron
quercifolium (Michx.) Greene, T. toxicarium (Salisb.) Gillis.
I do not recommend using this herb. Most of the indications were originally homeopathic but have
leaked out into the general folklore. But note the quote from the PDR on the dangers of the
homeopathic preparations in overdose. Still, I have heard many unsolicited testimonials to the
virtues of homeopathic “Rhus tox” to alleviate or diminish Rhus sensitivities.