Water hemlock, (Cicuta spp.) is a common name for four closely related, highly toxic plants in the carrot family. Other names for these include cowbane, suicide plant, and poison parsnip.
These plants are found in damp places throughout temperate regions in North America, Asia and Europe and are considered to be some of the most deadly in the world.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Water Hemlock is a highly toxic plant species with distinct characteristics that include hollow stems, compound leaves, and small white flowers arranged in umbrella-like clusters.
While Water Hemlock has a history of being used in traditional medicine by some indigenous groups, its medicinal uses are extremely limited due to its extreme toxicity, and its use is strongly discouraged.
In the realm of magick and spirituality, Water Hemlock is associated with danger, purification rituals, and protection spells.
They have smooth, branching, hollow stems with alternating feather-like leaves with many long, ovular leaflets with serrated edges. The stems often have red blotches, streaks, and/or red nodes where the leaves meet the stem, but not always.
The leaves veins terminate in the notches between the leaf tips. The veins in the leaves of other members of the carrot family terminate at the ends of the leaf tips.
The root is thick and tuberous, branching with many tubules containing an oily liquid that is yellowish in color and turns reddish-brown when exposed to oxygen.
This liquid smells like parsnips. The entire plant may reach eight feet (2.5 meters) in height. The umbrella-shaped flower heads consist of small white flowers similar to those you’d see in other carrot family members, such as the common wild carrot or Queen Anne’s lace.
Water hemlock is one of the most toxic plants in the world. Grazing animals are often poisoned during dry spells when they move into wetter pastures in search of forage.
Poisoning often occurs in humans when water hemlock is mistaken for other, edible or medicinal plants including:
- Angelica (Angelica archangelica),
- yarrow (Achillia millefolium),
- wild carrot (Daucus carota),
- Elderberry (Sambuca spp.),
- wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa),
- wild celery (Apium graveolens),
- pignut (Conopodium majus),
- valerian (Valeriana officinalis),
- water parsnip (Berula spp.)
It also superficially resembles the only slightly less toxic species Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum).
Contents
Individual species characteristics
Bulbous water hemlock Cicuta bulbifera L. forms tiny bulbs at the leaf joints in the upper part of the plant. The bulbils can grow into new plants. The plant does not generally grow taller than 3.5 feet (1.5 meters) tall.
The stems are light green with perhaps a reddish tinge, smooth, and waxy. The flower heads are about 2-4 inches across and consist of 8 smaller flower heads with about 16 white flowers in each. Bulbous water hemlock is a perennial herb that is found in the Northern part on North America including all of Canada and the Northern half of the United States, though it has been seen further south.
Douglas water hemlock or Western water hemlock Cicuta douglasii is native to the Western part of North America. This water hemlock can reach 4 feet or two meters tall and has purplish spots along its characteristically hollow stem. It is one of the first plants to appear in the spring.
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Spotted cowbane, spotted parsley, spotted water parsnip, suicide root Cicuta maculata L. This water hemlock can be found throughout most of North America. It reaches 4.5 feet tall or 1.5 meters tall. Its stem may be purple-striped or mottled.
Mackenzie’s water hemlock, northern water hemlock, cowbane, children’s-bane, beaver poison, Cicuta virosa L. Is a perennial native to Northwestern North America, Northern and Central Europe and Northern Asia.
Symbolism of Water Hemlock
| Toxicity | Water hemlock symbolizes danger, toxicity, and caution in folklore, mythology, and cultural beliefs. It serves as a potent reminder of the potential hazards lurking in the natural world and the importance of respecting and understanding the plants and environments we encounter. Water hemlock’s deadly reputation has earned it a place in cautionary tales, warning signs, and educational materials aimed at preventing accidental poisoning and promoting awareness of toxic plants in the wild. |
| Death and Transformation | In some cultures, water hemlock is associated with death, transformation, and the cycle of life and death. Its toxic nature and deadly effects are seen as symbols of mortality, impermanence, and the fragile balance between life and death. Water hemlock’s presence in marshy habitats and watery environments may also evoke associations with the underworld, the afterlife, and the mysteries of death and rebirth. |
| Protection Against Evil | Despite its toxic reputation, water hemlock has been used in some folk traditions as a protective charm or amulet against evil spirits, malevolent forces, and curses. It is believed that carrying or wearing a small piece of water hemlock can ward off negativity, dispel evil influences, and provide spiritual protection to the bearer. This belief likely stems from the plant’s potent toxicity, which was thought to imbue it with supernatural powers of defense and warding. |
Using Water Hemlock for Magick
I do not recommend using water hemlock for magick. It does not have a rich lore history; most lore referencing hemlock is referencing poison hemlock, a not-so-distant and only-slightly-less-toxic cousin.
Neither plant have any magical properties that I am aware of that can’t be gotten elsewhere. The energy of water hemlock seems to resonate best with Saturn.
| Magical Properties | Description |
|---|---|
| Banishing Spells | Water hemlock is sometimes used in banishing spells and rituals to remove negative energy, harmful influences, or unwanted entities from a person or space. Its toxic nature and association with danger make it a potent ingredient for driving away malevolent forces and protecting against psychic attacks, curses, or hexes. Water hemlock can be incorporated into spells, potions, or talismans designed to banish negativity and restore harmony and balance to the practitioner’s life. |
| Psychic Protection | Water hemlock is believed to possess powerful protective properties that can shield the practitioner from psychic attacks, spiritual intrusions, or energetic disturbances. It is thought to create a barrier of spiritual defense around the individual, repelling negative energy and preventing unwanted influences from penetrating their aura or energetic field. Water hemlock can be used in rituals, meditations, or protective charms to fortify the practitioner’s psychic defenses and maintain spiritual integrity and sovereignty. |
| Transformational Magic | Despite its toxic reputation, water hemlock has been used in some magical traditions for its transformative properties and potential for spiritual growth and evolution. It is believed that working with water hemlock can catalyze profound changes, inner alchemy, and spiritual awakening in the practitioner, leading to personal transformation and self-realization. Water hemlock can be used in rituals, meditations, or shamanic journeys to facilitate deep healing, release stagnant energy, and initiate a process of inner purification and renewal. |
Water hemlock’s characteristics, symbolism, and magical properties reflect its potent and enigmatic
Toxicity
Water hemlocks contain large amounts of cicutoxin. The roots contain the highest concentrations, but the toxin can be found throughout the plant. Poisoning usually occurs when the plant is eaten, but the toxin can also be absorbed through the skin.
Cicutoxin is a central nervous system stimulant that causes cell overactivity resulting in seizures. Other symptoms include drooling or foaming at the mouth, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tremors, confusion, dilated pupils, and drowsiness.
Further symptoms of the overstimulation of the central nervous system include abnormal heartbeat, changes in blood pressure alternating between high and low, hallucinations, delirium, tingling or numbness of the skin, and feelings of weakness.
Coma and death can occur within 15 minutes to a few hours. There is no antidote to the poison, but recovery can take place with quick action including inducing vomiting and the use of activated charcoal to absorb the toxin, medication to suppress seizures and other supportive measures to manage symptoms until they have run their course.
It may take days or months for a complete recovery and lingering symptoms of restlessness, twitching, weakness, anxiety and retrograde amnesia may occur.
Online Resources
- Cicuta maculata American Hemlock chapter in American medical botany, being a collection of native medicinal plants of the United States, containing their botanical history and chemical analysis, and properties and uses in medicine, diet and the arts, with colored engravings Volume 1 by Bigleow, Jacob 1786-1879. In the Digital Library for the Decorative Arts and Material Culture, University of Wisconsin.
- Deadly Plant Identification: Water Hemlock from Hidden Florida on Youtube
- Identifying Water Hemlock from Saskatchewan Agriculture on Youtube
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