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  4. How much hemlock would kill you?
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How much hemlock would kill you?

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Offline annie123 (OP)

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How much hemlock would kill you?
« on: 26/08/2014 01:24:35 »
Hemlock has recently been identified as an invasive species growing wild in my area.Does one have to eat it to be killed? or can its poison rub off on you? We have been warned about touching it. Or does it have to be made into a tea to be dangerous?
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Offline Don_1

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Re: How much hemlock would kill you?
« Reply #1 on: 26/08/2014 10:49:07 »
There are two species of Hemlock, Cicuta (Water hemlock) and Conium (Poison hemlock).

In fact both plants are poisonous, but it is the Conium which is the most toxic, most common and most often responsible for poisoning.

While the plant grows undamaged, it emits a chemical warning which grazing animals recognise and avoid. However when damaged, the broken part of the plant no longer emits this warning, but still remains highly toxic.

All parts of the plant are toxic, but it is the root, seeds and young shoots which are the most toxic, containing 5 alkaloids.

Accidentally ingested small quantities can result in birth defects among sheep, cattle, goats, horses and pigs. Larger quantities will often result in death.

As far as humans are concerned, even small quantities can be fatal. The leaves can be mistaken for parsley and the root for parsnip, both members of the same family. The toxins cause paralysis of the neuromuscular systems. Death is caused by the paralysis of the respiratory muscles. (Heart, diaphragm). There is no known antidote and death can result in just an hour or two. A woman in the USA died after consuming a salad to which Hemlock leaves had been added mistakenly.

Though the main cause of poisoning is by ingestion and the plant is generally not toxic to touch, pulling out the plant or any prolonged contact can result in the plant oils entering the body subcutaneously. It is certainly best to avoid the plant and ALWAYS to wear protective clothing when dealing with an infestation.

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Offline annie123 (OP)

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Re: How much hemlock would kill you?
« Reply #2 on: 31/08/2014 06:45:52 »
Thanks! the part about the salad is alarming! i don't think I will eat a salad in any restaurant here for a long time.
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Offline JohnDoe

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Re: How much hemlock would kill you?
« Reply #3 on: 23/03/2018 19:12:50 »
Old thread, but how many grams of hemlock seeds would it take to kill a human being?
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Offline Bored chemist

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Re: How much hemlock would kill you?
« Reply #4 on: 23/03/2018 23:49:36 »
Just one seed would do- if it was moving fast enough when it hit you.

Why do you want to know?
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Offline JohnDoe

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Re: How much hemlock would kill you?
« Reply #5 on: 24/03/2018 07:48:48 »
There is information on how many leaves are lethal and how much of the root is lethal, but I cant find information about the seeds, which are supposed to have the highest concentration of  the toxic coniine in them.

Edit: I found that LD50 for Coniceine is 12mg/kg and for Coniine it's 100mg/kg (in rats and mice)

Now I need to know how much coniceine and coiine there are in the hemlock seeds.

Thanks!
« Last Edit: 24/03/2018 11:15:54 by JohnDoe »
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Offline Bored chemist

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Re: How much hemlock would kill you?
« Reply #6 on: 24/03/2018 11:54:50 »
Quote from: JohnDoe on 24/03/2018 07:48:48
Now I need to know how much coniceine and coiine there are in the hemlock seeds.

Quote from: Bored chemist on 23/03/2018 23:49:36
Why do you want to know?
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Offline CliffordK

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Re: How much hemlock would kill you?
« Reply #7 on: 25/03/2018 03:08:44 »
Keep in mind that Hemlock in the USA is somewhat different, and I don't believe very toxic.



However, I wouldn't wish to have a big one fall on me. 

I can't say for Hemlock, but there are some seeds that may be poisonous, but they can have oil extracted that is edible...  if one is careful.  Otherwise, I wouldn't play with the stuff without actually having it tested.
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Offline Colin2B

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Re: How much hemlock would kill you?
« Reply #8 on: 25/03/2018 08:44:42 »
Quote from: CliffordK on 25/03/2018 03:08:44
Keep in mind that Hemlock in the USA is somewhat different, and I don't believe very toxic.

However, I wouldn't wish to have a big one fall on me. 
LOL, socrates killed by falling tree!
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Offline jeffreyH

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Re: How much hemlock would kill you?
« Reply #9 on: 25/03/2018 13:10:21 »
Do I hear a faint Monty Python song about philosophers?
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Offline JohnDoe

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Re: How much hemlock would kill you?
« Reply #10 on: 26/03/2018 09:21:49 »
I have about 600 or 3 grams of poison hemlock seeds, just curious if that's enough to kill a person if ingested.

What place would be the best to ask this question?
« Last Edit: 26/03/2018 09:53:36 by JohnDoe »
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