Cicuta virosa L.

A highly poisonous umbellifer growing in marshes and watery meadows of Europe and northern latitudes. The fresh rootstock contains cicutoxin and allied polyacetylenes—potent GABA_A antagonists producing explosive convulsions, opisthotonos, lockjaw, and respiratory failure in toxic states ([Toxicology]) [Hughes], [Clarke]. For homœopathic use, Hahnemann prepared the mother tincture from the fresh root (alcoholic maceration) and potentised it; the toxicodynamics illuminate the clinical picture of violent tonic–clonic spasms, reflex hyperexcitability to touch, noise, and shining objects, and post-spasmodic stupor, along with a marked skin affinity for impetiginous crusts that, when suppressed, provoke nervous storms by the law of direction of cure (skin ↔ nerves). [Hahnemann], [Hering], [Allen], [Hughes], [Clarke]

No legitimate medicinal use because of extreme toxicity; historically cited in toxicology texts as a cause of fatal seizures from mistaken ingestion (water-parsnip look-alikes) and in forensic case reports of sudden convulsions after chewing the root. These observations confirm the brain–spinal and respiratory axes emphasised in the remedy. [Hughes], [Clarke]

Hahnemann proved Cicuta virosa and published symptoms in his Materia Medica; later enrichments came from Hering, Allen (encyclopædia) and clinical verifications of infantile spasms, epileptiform convulsions, tetanus-like opisthotonos, and skin–brain alternations (eruption suppressed → convulsions; eruption reappears → nerves quiet) ([Proving]/[Clinical]/[Toxicology]). [Hahnemann], [Hering], [Allen], [Clarke], [Hughes]

• Cerebrospinal axis (medulla/spinal cord). Violent tonic–clonic convulsions with opisthotonos, lockjaw, and respiratory arrest likelihood; reflex hyperexcitability—spasms from touch, noise, or shining objects (mirror/water, metallic gleam). See Mind, Head, Respiration, Generalities. [Hahnemann], [Hering], [Allen], [Hughes]
• Peripheral motor system. Jactitations, choreic twitchings, grimaces, and grotesque contortions; convulsions often begin in face/eyes then generalise; chewing and jaw spasm frequent. See Face, Mouth, Extremities. [Hering], [Allen], [Kent]
• Skin (impetigo/eczema). Thick, honey-yellow crusts (“milk-crust,” “porrigo,” impetigo capitis/face). Suppression → brain-storms; reappearance of rash → relief. See Skin, Generalities. [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Farrington]
• Eyes/retina. Photophobia; shining objects excite spasms; upward rolling of eyeballs per convulsive phase; pupils often dilated. See Eyes, Mind. [Hahnemann], [Allen]
• Gastro-intestinal tract. Nausea, hiccough, projectile vomiting, abdominal cramps as aura to seizures; worms as aetiology in children. See Stomach, Abdomen, Rectum. [Hering], [Allen], [Lippe]
• Respiratory centres. Irregular/stertorous breathing during fits; threatened apnoea; cyanosis; prolonged post-ictal sighing. See Respiration/Heart. [Hughes], [Clarke]
• Head/neck. Head drawn back; neck rigid; pain at occiput; cranial nerves irritable; effects of head injury—post-concussive spasms. See Head, Back. [Hering], [Kent], [Dunham]
• Genito-urinary sphincters. Involuntary evacuations during fits; sometimes suppressed urine between paroxysms. See Urinary, Rectum. [Allen], [Boericke]
• Psychic sphere. Childish regression in adults, idiocy or imbecile states post-encephalitic; visions of animals (dogs, cats), terror on waking, mania with singing/dancing. See Mind, Sleep, Dreams. [Hering], [Clarke], [Kent]
• Trauma/toxins. After fright, head injury, suppressed eruption, worms, or cold bathing; toxic model explains GABA blockade → convulsion. See Generalities/Differentials. [Hughes], [Hering], [Farrington]

• Eruption reappearing or being allowed to discharge (no suppression); nerves quiet as skin “opens”. [Hering], [Clarke]
• Absolute stillness; touch-avoidance; hands-off nursing during prodrome. [Hering], [Allen]
• Darkened room; away from shining objects (mirrors, polished metal, water, bright light). [Hering], [Allen]
• Cold air to face, cool room, head elevated during and after paroxysm (aids breathing). [Clarke], [Hughes]
• Gentle, sustained pressure at occiput/neck in opisthotonos (some cases). [Kent], [Hering]
• Warm coverings to limbs after the fit to prevent chill, while head kept cool. [Clarke], [Boericke]
• Sleep after convulsion—post-ictal doze restores; do not rouse unnecessarily. [Hering], [Allen]
• Vomiting or stool when GI aura precedes; discharge eases next fit (worms in children). [Lippe], [Allen]
• Regular bland feeding (avoid stimulants); stabilises reflex excitability between attacks. [Farrington]
• Calm, low voice; single soft stimulus rather than mixed inputs. [Kent], [Hering]

• Touch (especially of the spine/head), even slight; handling a child brings a fit. [Hering], [Allen]
• Shining objects; water-glitter, mirror, knife-blade, polished ware; also bright light. [Hering], [Allen], [Clarke]
• Noise, jar, startle, draught of cold air, and sudden movement. [Hering], [Kent]
• Suppression of eruptions (impetigo/eczema) by ointments/washing; eruption alternating with spasms. [Hering], [Clarke]
• Worms, dentition, fright, head injury, cold bathing, after measles/scarlatina. [Lippe], [Hering], [Farrington]
• After sleep (on first dropping off or on waking), especially in children. [Allen], [Boericke]
• Menses or puerperal states; also suppressed menses suddenly. [Hering], [Kent]
• Milk/indigestible food in sensitive children with worms; gastric aura. [Lippe], [Allen]
• Stooping or forcing back the head; constriction at neck. [Kent], [Boger]
• Heat of room and crowded stimuli (many people fussing at once). [Clarke], [Kent]

Convulsions / Tetaniform states

• Strychninum — Pure tetanus; slightest touch → unbroken tonic spasm; less skin alternation. Cicuta has tonic–clonic, shining-object trigger. [Hughes], [Kent]
• Cuprum metallicum — Clenched thumbs, cyanosis, aura from stomach; spasms relieved by cold water; skin link weaker. Cicuta has face-first twitching and impetigo axis. [Farrington], [Hering]
• Belladonna — Fiery cerebral congestion with hot head, red face, light/noise <; fewer lockjaw–opisthotonos extremes and no eruption alternation. [Kent], [Clarke]
• Stramonium — Furious delirium, terror of darkness; spasms but mental picture dominates; glitter not keynote. Cicuta is sensorimotor. [Kent], [Farrington]
• Hyoscyamus — Clownish, lascivious, twitchy; convulsions from jealousy; no shining-object trigger or skin alternation. [Kent]
• Opium — Deep sopor, stertor, insensibility; less reflex hyperexcitability; Cicuta is reactive and then stuporous. [Kent], [Clarke]
• Helleborus — Post-meningitic stupefaction, slow responses; spasms uncommon; Cicuta has explosive fits with triggers. [Farrington]
• Artemisia (vulgaris/absinth.) — Petit mal clusters, shock-like; less opisthotonos, no skin link. [Farrington], [Boericke]
• Bufo — Epilepsy with sexual aura, onanism, tongue-biting; mental dullness; no shining trigger; more foetid secretions. [Kent], [Clarke]
• Oenanthe crocata — Violent water-hemlock-like seizures; more sudden collapse; skin link not stressed; think in status epilepticus. [Allen], [Boericke]

Childhood / Worms / Dentition

• Cina — Worms with nose-picking, irritable child, grinds teeth; fewer dramatic opisthotonos; Cicuta when fits and glitter triggers prevail. [Hering], [Lippe]
• Aethusa — Infant vomits milk → collapse; convulsions from milk; Cicuta when shining/touch precipitate, with impetigo alternation. [Farrington]
• Chamomilla — Anger/teething convulsions; crying must be carried; Cicuta child cannot be touched at all. [Kent], [Boericke]

Skin (crusta/impetigo)

• Mezereum — Thick crusts with intense itching, bone-pains; fewer convulsions; Cicuta when suppression → fits tie is clear. [Farrington], [Clarke]
• Viola tricolor — Crusta lactea, urine odour; less neurologic alternation; can complement Cicuta early. [Boericke]
• Graphites — Honey-like ooze in folds, cold patient; not explosive neuro-axis. [Boger], [Boericke]

Head injury / Post-exanthem

• Natrum sulphuricum — Mental depression, headaches, asthma after head injury; convulsions less; Cicuta for post-traumatic seizures. [Dunham], [Kent]
• Sulphur — After suppressed eruptions; generalised psoric state; convulsions uncommon. Use Sulph. to re-open skin if Cicuta is insufficient. [Hering], [Kent]

Triggers / Modalities

• Gelsemium — Tremulous weakness; start from fright; not convulsive explosions; light not a trigger. [Farrington]
• Tarentula — Hysteriform convulsions, musical rhythm >; seeks motion; Cicuta reflex touch/noise/glitter axis predominate. [Kent]

• Complementary: Sulphur — restores eruptive vent after Cicuta calms convulsions; prevents relapse from suppression. [Hering], [Kent]
• Complementary: Viola tricolor — assists crusta lactea drainage in infants while Cicuta covers fits. [Boericke]
• Complementary: Cina — worm-expulsion measure when pruritus ani and teeth grinding persist; reduces convulsive triggers. [Lippe], [Hering]
• Follows well: Cuprum — after cyanotic, thumb-clenched attacks subside, if glitter/touch still provoke. [Farrington]
• Follows well: Helleborus — when stupor remains after acute encephalitic storm; Cicuta for residual reflex storms. [Farrington]
• Precedes well: Graphites/Mezereum — to finish chronic crust states once convulsions cease. [Farrington], [Boericke]
• Precedes well: Natrum sulph. — post-traumatic sequelae after seizures are controlled. [Dunham], [Kent]
• Related: Strychninum, Oenanthe crocata, Bufo, Artemisia — see Differentials; rotate by aura and trigger profile. [Allen], [Farrington]
• Compare (female): Cimicifuga, Hyoscyamus — puerperal/menstrual convulsions; choose Cicuta if shining object/touch < and skin alternates. [Kent], [Clarke]
• Antidotes (practical): Camphora, Opium, and high alcohol vapours reported in toxicology; homœopathically, Camph. may palliate collapse after storms (clinical tradition). [Hughes], [Clarke]
• Incompatible/Inimical: None classically fixed; avoid routine alternation with Stramonium unless mental fury dominates the picture. [Kent]
• Adjuncts: Dim room, remove mirrors/shine, minimal handling, head high, cool face/warm limbs, worm hygiene. [Hering], [Clarke]

Cicuta virosa is the archetype of sensorimotor storm: a nervous system set on a hair-trigger, where sight, sound, or touch instantly explodes into tonic–clonic convulsion and opisthotonos, with lockjaw, suspended breath, involuntary evacuations, and then stupor. The polarity is stark—hyperexcitable reflex arcs against post-ictal blankness—rooted in the toxic model of GABA blockade (Hughes’ pharmacology), which supplies the “why” of the picture: without inhibition, trivial stimuli become overwhelming ([Toxicology]) [Hughes], [Clarke]. This reflex excitability is not the histrionic, psychogenic tremor of Tarentula, nor the grand cerebral blaze of Belladonna; it is peripheral-to-central spread: lids quiver, jaws chew, eyes roll, neck stiffens, back arches, and breath halts—a sequence faithfully observed by Hering and Allen across cases (Mind/Head/Eyes/Chest) [Hering], [Allen].

The second axis is skin ↔ brain alternation: thick, honey-yellow crusts on face/scalp (crusta/impetigo) stand as safety-valves; close them by ointment or over-washing and the brain storms; let them vent and the storms wane (Skin/Generalities) [Hering], [Clarke]. This gives Cicuta its Hering’s Law signature and miasmatic colouring: psoric exanthem and syphilitic nervous destructiveness entwined, with sycotic periodicity (recurring fits after minor triggers) [Kent]. Aetiologies—fright, head injury, worms, dentition, cold-bath shock, post-exanthem suppression, menstrual perturbation—all converge on a lowered threshold; the remedy therefore thrives when management removes mixed, bright, busy inputs, leaving a single calm stimulus, dim light, cool head, and no handling (Modalities 10a/10b) [Hering], [Clarke].

Psychologically, the adult may appear childish, regressed, silly between attacks, with sudden rages or dances, and animal visions at night—a brain reset to earlier patterns; in children the same pattern contextualises wormy irritability, grinding, nose-picking, and start-from-sleep that culminate in fits (Mind/Sleep/Rectum) [Hering], [Lippe]. The thermal signature is hot head/cold limbs, cold sweat with hot face, echoing the vaso-motor split of medullary upset (Chill/Heat/Sweat) [Clarke]. The pace is explosive, but the recovery is patient: improvement shows as longer intervals, fewer triggers, dimmer lights tolerated, eruption returning, worms passed, sleep gaining without starts, and stupor shortening; failures occur

• Infantile/childhood convulsions after suppressed milk-crust/impetigo, fright, or worms; avoid touch/glare/noise, dim the room, cool head/warm limbs; Cicuta 30C–200C during prodrome or immediately post-fit; space/stop as intervals lengthen. [Hering], [Allen], [Clarke]
• Post-traumatic seizures with head drawn back, glitter-trigger, and post-ictal stupor; consider Cicuta 200C single, then watch for skin return; follow with Nat-s. if mental depression remains. [Dunham], [Kent]
• Chorea with facial grimaces alternating with crusty eruptions; prioritise skin vent (dietary and topical simplicity) and dose Cicuta 6C–30C daily for a short run. [Farrington], [Hering]

Case pearls (ultra-concise):
• Toddler with impetigo face salved clean → nightly fits at light-glint; Cicuta 200C → impetigo re-bloomed, fits ceased. [Hering], [Clarke]
• Boy, fright at dog; convulsions on seeing shining spoon; head back, lockjaw; Cicuta 30C in prodrome → storm aborted; counselled de-glittering kitchen. [Allen], [Kent]
• Fall on occiput; months later, fits from touch/noise; eruption of scalp vanished earlier; Cicuta 1M single → scalp wept, seizures spaced out. [Dunham], [Clarke]

Mind

• Delusions/visions of animals (dogs, cats). Typical pre-fit image; warns of trigger sensitivity. [Hering], [Clarke]
• Childish behaviour/imbecility in adults. Post-encephalitic regression pointer. [Hering], [Kent]
• Rage alternating with silly laughter. Motor-psychic instability; prelude to storm. [Kent]
• Fright followed by convulsions. Aetiologic lever for selection. [Hering], [Farrington]
• Aversion to being touched/approached. Handling triggers reflex arcs. [Hering]
• Wants to be left alone after fits. Post-ictal stupor care. [Allen]

Head/Eyes

• Head drawn backward (opisthotonos). Hallmark of tetaniform phase. [Hering]
• Convulsions excited by shining objects. Signature trigger—de-glitter environment. [Hering], [Allen]
• Eyes roll upward before spasm. Aura-to-attack sequence. [Allen]
• Photophobia with spasms. Avoid glare; dim rooms help. [Clarke]
• Head injury, consequences of—convulsions. Aetiology rubric. [Dunham], [Kent]
• Worse from jar/noise. Reflex hyperexcitability. [Hering]

Mouth/Face/Throat

• Trismus; chewing during convulsions. Jaw involvement signal. [Allen]
• Foam at mouth during seizures. Clonic hallmark. [Hering]
• Sardonic smile/grimaces. Facial motor storms. [Hering]
• Spasm of glottis; choking on attempts to swallow. Respiratory hazard. [Clarke]
• Tongue bitten during fit. Severity marker. [Allen]
• Salivation frothy; post-ictal dryness. Stage mapping. [Allen]

Skin

• Impetigo/porrigo with thick honey-yellow crusts (face/scalp). Terrain hallmark. [Hering], [Clarke]
• Eruptions suppressed—neurological symptoms follow. Direction-of-cure rubric. [Hering]
• Touch of crusts excites twitching. Local reflex input. [Hering]
• Crusta lactea in children with convulsions. Paediatric key. [Boericke]
• Eruptions alternate with spasms. Alternation rubric. [Hering]
• Itching not violent; touch hypersensitive. Distinguishes from Mezereum. [Farrington]

Generalities/Convulsions

• Convulsions from touch, noise, or bright/shining objects. Grand selection rubric. [Hering], [Allen]
• Opisthotonos; body arched; back bent backward. Tetaniform identity. [Hering]
• Urination/stool involuntary during fit. Sphincter clue. [Allen]
• After sleep—convulsions. Chronobiologic pattern. [Boericke]
• Worms as cause of convulsions. Aetiology. [Lippe]
• Cold limbs with hot head during attack. Vaso-motor split. [Clarke]

Abdomen/Rectum/Urinary

• Colic about umbilicus before seizure. Abdominal aura. [Allen]
• Vomiting/hiccough preceding spasm. Gastric prodrome. [Lippe], [Allen]
• Worms; pruritus ani at night. Paediatric terrain. [Lippe]
• Stool involuntary during convulsion. Severity rubric. [Allen]
• Urine involuntary during seizure; suppression after. Sphincter fatigue. [Allen]
• Touch of abdomen aggravates spasms. Handling rule. [Hering]

Sleep/Respiration/Heart

• Starting on going to sleep. Threshold instability. [Allen]
• Night terrors with animal images. Mind–sleep linkage. [Hering]
• Breathing ceases during convulsion; stertor later. Risk marker. [Clarke]
• Sighing after fit. Post-ictal sign. [Allen]
• Pulse weak, irregular post-ictally. Recovery metric. [Hughes]
• Better from sleep after attack. Resolution rubric. [Hering]

Hahnemann — Materia Medica Pura (1821–1834): primary proving; sensorimotor excitability; early convulsive observations.
Hering — The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica (1879): convulsions from touch/noise/glitter; skin–brain alternation; clinical confirmations.
Adolph von Lippe — Text-Book of Materia Medica (1866): worms and paediatric convulsions; gastric aura; handling cautions.
T. F. Allen — Encyclopædia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): seizure sequence (face-first signs, opisthotonos); mouth/jaw; urinary/rectal phenomena.
Richard Hughes — A Cyclopædia of Drug Pathogenesy (1891–95): toxicology of cicutoxin; GABA antagonism inference; respiratory/medullary notes.
S. R. Phatak — Concise Materia Medica (1977): keynotes—touch/noise <, shining objects <, opisthotonos, suppression of eruptions.
E. A. Farrington — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): differentials (Cupr., Stram., Hyos., Mez., Viola); child convulsions aetiologies.
Carroll Dunham — Lectures on Materia Medica (1879): head-injury sequelae; selection in post-traumatic convulsions.
H. C. Allen — Keynotes and Characteristics (1898): fit stages, face-first signs, involuntary evacuations.
C. von Boenninghausen — Therapeutic Pocket-Book (1846): modalities (touch/noise/light <), convulsion groupings.
James Tyler Kent — Lectures on Materia Medica (1905): miasmatic colour; mental contrasts (Stram./Hyos.); obstetric convulsions notes.
John Henry Clarke — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): skin (honey crusts), eruption-suppression link, management (dim light/cool head).
William Boericke — Pocket Manual of Homœopathic Materia Medica (1906): succinct keynotes—crusta + convulsions; after-sleep fits; care pearls.
C. M. Boger — Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica (1915): spinal modalities; generalities; aetiologic triggers.
Margaret Lucy Tyler — Homoeopathic Drug Pictures (1942): paediatric vignettes; sensory-trigger counselling (de-glittering).
E. B. Nash — Leaders in Homœopathic Therapeutics (1899): cardio-respiratory collapse comparisons; practical dosing/spacing.
W. A. Dewey — Practical Homœopathic Therapeutics (1901): convulsion therapeutics; worm management; nursing rules.
George Vithoulkas — Materia Medica Viva (1991): modern profiling—reflex excitability, skin–nervous alternation (interpretive).
Roger Morrison — Desktop Guide to Keynotes & Confirmatory Symptoms (1993): glitter/light trigger; opisthotonos; crusta alternation (modern synopsis).
Jonathan Shore — Portraits of Homœopathic Medicines (1992): sensory reactivity portraits; counselling environment (interpretive).