Herbs
Posted by Marie-Bernadette on June 03, 1998 at 16:50:01:
In response to Suicide, written by Peg on June 03, 1998 at 11:59:01
There is a shrub called wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) that makes people very sick but doesn't kill them. It was used as an emetic and a laxative. I know it grows in North America but I don't know if it grows in Europe (perhaps it could be with a bunch of medicinal herbs amongst some other trade goods). Other herbs that can make someone sick in large doses are as follows: pennyroyal, blood root, boneset, catnip, elder flowers, ipecacuanha, lobelia, senega and squill. These are all emetics (cause vomiting). Some are quite toxic, especially squill and lobelia and pennyroyal, and so could be fatal in large doses. They are used medicinally in small doses.
Maybe the person who is trying to commit suicide takes one of these thinking it will be a fatal dose but doesn't take quite enough and someone who knows what it is could then administer anti-emetics and anti-diarretics and save him or her.
Slippery elm helps sooth irritated stomach lining. Other demulcents (coats and sooths) are coltsfoot, comfrey, corn silk, couchgrass, flaxseed, irish moss, lung wort, liquorice, mallow, marshmallow, mullein, oatmeal,and parsley.
Here are some anti-emetics: black horehound, cayenne, cloves, dill, fennel, lavender, meadowsweet, peach leaves, cinnamon, and mint.
If your suicidal character uses an overdose of opium, lily of the valley may help. Foxglove would, too, but it is poisonous itself and tricky to use. Both foxglove and lily of the valley have glycocides whose beneficial effects on the heart have been known since 1785.
Much of this information was taken from an excellent book called The New Holistic Herbal by David Hoffmann. (Published by Element Books Ltd. in Great Britain, 1983 and 1991, and Element Inc. in U.S.A. ISBN 1-85230-193-7). Many of the herbs would be available in England and Europe as well as N.A. Hope this is useful!
- Hmmm, I have pennyroyal AND mint... Peg 17:16:42 6/07/98
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- From what I know ... Ann2 16:11:20 6/05/98
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- Funny you should mention that... P. Bingham 17:08:51 6/03/98
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- You're kidding! Marie-Bernadette 23:32:12 6/03/98
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- You 2 aren't from Salem, Massachusetts, are you? Peg 03:43:23 6/04/98
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- Well, I'm not from Salem, but... (nfm) Marie-Bernadette 22:42:00 6/05/98
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- yes. (nfm) P. Bingham 02:19:28 6/05/98
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- Well, I'm not from Salem, but... (nfm) Marie-Bernadette 22:42:00 6/05/98
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- You 2 aren't from Salem, Massachusetts, are you? Peg 03:43:23 6/04/98
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- Thank You, Thank You, Thank You - to All of You - nfm Peg 20:06:29 6/03/98
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- OK Peg...what are you dreaming up now???? ;) (nfm) Jimmy 09:05:57 6/04/98
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- I want to know what you have up your sleeve.....;) (nfm) CathyW 23:00:13 6/03/98
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- Why, her arm, of course! (Ducking and dodging tomatoes,&c.) nfm Marie-Bernadette 19:59:07 6/10/98
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- What are we to do with you?" (nfm) P. Bingham 02:40:55 6/11/98
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- :-D (nfm) Marie-Bernadette 14:58:28 6/11/98
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- :-D (nfm) Marie-Bernadette 14:58:28 6/11/98
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- What are we to do with you?" (nfm) P. Bingham 02:40:55 6/11/98
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- Why, her arm, of course! (Ducking and dodging tomatoes,&c.) nfm Marie-Bernadette 19:59:07 6/10/98
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- OK Peg...what are you dreaming up now???? ;) (nfm) Jimmy 09:05:57 6/04/98
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- You're kidding! Marie-Bernadette 23:32:12 6/03/98
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