Name: Ergot
Very poisonous!
Marsupials (ergot) – Ascomycetes (Clavicipitales).
Popular names: black grain, poisonous grain, wolf’s tooth.
Parts Used: Rye-grown sclerotium.
Pharmacy name: ergot – Secale cornutum.
Botanical description.The development cycle of the fungus, which was first discovered by Tyulian in 1863, is very complex. The “horn” of ergot, which falls on the soil in autumn, overwinters and develops small reddish sporulation in the form of legs with heads at the end the next spring. In the aftermath there are numerous bottle-shaped depressions – perithecia, which contain spores (bags) with thread-like spores. Spores fall with the help of wind onto cereals, where they immediately germinate, penetrate into the cavity of the ovary, and a powerful mycelium develops instead of grain. Thus, the ovary turns into a receptacle for the fungus. The spores formed here end up in the sweet juice secreted by the fungus – the so-called honeydew. Insects, using honeydew, transfer spores to other wild and cultivated cereals. By the time the ovary tissues are exhausted,
Active ingredients: alkaloids belonging to three groups. 1. Ergotamine group (water insoluble) – ergotamine, ergotamine-ergosine, ergosinine. 2. Ergotoxin group (water insoluble) – ergocristine, ergocristine-ergocriptine, ergok-riptinine, ergocornine, ergocorninine. 3. Ergobazine group (water-soluble) – ergobazine, ergobazine. In addition, fatty oil and a number of protein substances. Healing action and application.I warn you right away: ergot is very poisonous and should never be used for self-medication! In medicine, ergot itself is not used due to the unstable content of active substances. But standardized products and medicines from the active substances of ergot are prescribed for the treatment of all kinds of nervous disorders, states of excitement and fear, as well as migraines. But even more important is their effect on the uterus: ergot products stop bleeding, and by influencing the autonomic nervous system, they induce the uterus to contract.
Use in homeopathy. The homeopathic remedy Secale comutum is used for migraines, concussion, diabetes, diarrhea, difficult childbirth, leg ulcers and high blood pressure. Usual dilutions: from D 1up to D6. Only a doctor should determine if Secale cornutum is right for you! From the history of the plant. At present, ergot is so rare that this fungus has to be grown artificially, infecting rye crops. But before, cereals were so strongly affected by this parasitic fungus that mass poisoning of people arose. We have the first reliable news about this from the monastery of Xanten (857). In 922, in Spain and France, around 40,000 people became victims of mass poisoning. The disease manifested itself in 2 forms. One began with a sensation of goosebumps – the patient experienced such an itch, as if thousands of ants were running across the skin. This was followed by deafness, bowel dysfunction, painful spasms of the skeletal muscles, and most often mental disorders, but the patients did not die. The second form also began with itching, but then came the necrosis of the fingers and gradually of all the limbs. As a result, patients most often died. The medicinal use of ergot is first reported in Lonitzer’s herbal (1582). Then it was recommended as a tonic. In the XVII-XVIII centuries, it was used only by midwives (midwives). From them, this remedy was later adopted by doctors. Scientific medicine took up this drug only at the beginning of the 19th century. Modern traditional medicine no longer uses ergot, not only because it is difficult to obtain, but also because it is poisonous, and this carries too much risk. In the XVII-XVIII centuries, it was used only by midwives (midwives). From them, this remedy was later adopted by doctors. Scientific medicine took up this drug only at the beginning of the 19th century. Modern traditional medicine no longer uses ergot, not only because it is difficult to obtain, but also because it is poisonous, and this carries too much risk. In the XVII-XVIII centuries, it was used only by midwives (midwives). From them, this remedy was later adopted by doctors. Scientific medicine took up this drug only at the beginning of the 19th century. Modern traditional medicine no longer uses ergot, not only because it is difficult to obtain, but also because it is poisonous, and this carries too much risk.
Side effects. Ergot is very poisonous. It cannot be used for self-treatment! It is necessary to strictly follow the doctor’s prescriptions: never take more than what is prescribed for you! Ergot poisoning manifests itself in nausea, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, increased sweating, ripples in the eyes, slowing of the pulse, convulsions and paralysis, and death can occur due to collapse. In case of acute poisoning, ensure a quick cleansing of the stomach and consult a doctor immediately!