I searched for poisonous plants being used in medieval times, here is a choice of some plants I found:
@LeChat Monkshood âwas often used to coat spears and arrowheadsâ I believe there are other plants for this purpose, too
Belladonna: (also known as Deadly Nightshade; German: Tollkirsche)
The poison can be absorbed through the skin. However, ingesting any part of this plant can cause dizziness, dry mouth, flush, nausea and vomiting, visual impairment, increased heart frequency, agitation and raving, followed by weakness and sleepiness, breathing compression and death. The overdose level for an adult is only 600 mg.
Belladonna is a Latin word that translates to âpretty woman.â In the Middle Ages the plant was used cosmetically in Spain and Italy. Women used to treat their faces with belladonna to give themselves a rosy blush in their cheeks. Eye drops were also common. The drug caused the pupils to dilate and give the eyes an overall brighter appearance.
A tincture made from belladonna leaves is one of the most popular poisons in history. Ancient Gaelic tribes used belladonna before a battle as an âherb of courage.â The drug acted as a stimulant and caused the warriors to fly into an uncontrollable rage.
The Romans reportedly used the plant as a type of âweaponâ to contaminate their enemiesâ food reserves.
The plant was also used in history as an anesthetic during surgery. A concoction of hemlock, mandrake, belladonna and henbane was applied to the skin.
Its deadly character is due to the presence of an alkaloid, Atropine, 1/10 grain of which swallowed by a man has occasioned symptoms of poisoning. As every part of the plant is extremely poisonous, neither leaves, berries, nor root should be handled if there are any cuts or abrasions on the hands. The root is the most poisonous, the leaves and flowers less so, and the berries, except to children, least of all.
Atropa belladonna
Hemlock:(Conium maculatum; German: Gefleckter Schierling)
This is a plant with a hollow stem with red spots, small white blossoms and a very unpleasant odor. Hemlock is commonly found throughout Europe. All parts of the plant are very poisonous. A lethal dose for a human being is only 0.15 g. The seeds contain the highest concentration of poison. The conium alkaloids are volatile and can even cause toxic reactions when inhaled.
Common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, movement- and speech retardation and dilated pupils. These are followed by paralysis of the limbs and thoracic muscles which results in death.
The most famous victim of Hemlock poisoning is Socrates. He was forced to drink a tincture of hemlock after he was convicted of corrupting the youth with his radical ideas.
Conium maculatum
Jimsonweed: (Datura stramonium: German: Stechapfel)
Jimsonweed was a popular poison in the Middle Ages. There are references to it in Homerâs Odyssey, and Shakespeareâs plays: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Anthony and Cleopatra. The plant was easy to disguise in the victimâs food or wine and the effects were almost immediate.
The symptoms are similar to those caused by Belladonna. Dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, visual problems, heart palpitations, agitation, vivid hallucinations and uncontrollable raving are all common. This is often followed by extreme weakness or sleepiness, respiratory problems and death. Victims usually experience the effects about 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion.
Death usually occurs only if the plant has been ingested. However, even prolonged breathing of the fragrance from Jimsonweed flowers can produce mild symptoms. It also doesnât take that much to be fatal. Less than 5 grams of leaves or seeds of the plant can kill a child.
All parts of the plant are psychoactive.
Datura stramonium
Monkshood: (also known as Friarâs cap or Garden Wolfsbane; German: Eisenhut)
Monkshood is one of the earliest known poisons in existence. It was often used to coat spears and arrowheads for an added effect. The plant was also used to poison enemy water supplies.
The poison can be absorbed easily through the skin, but death usually occurs only when the plant has been eaten. Initially it acts as a stimulant but, soon after it paralyzes the nervous system. Symptoms include a numbness of the mouth, abundant salivation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The skin becomes cool, the limbs become insensitive and the pulse accelerates. Death results from respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. The whole process usually takes about an hour.
The poison is very potent. Doses of 2-5 mg are enough to kill an adult. Children may also become poisoned if they hold tubers in their hands for a long time.
Aconitum
Other poisonous plants are:
Henbane (Only 10-20 seeds are enough to poison a child. However, death for adult victim is rare. Symptoms normally include insanity, violent behavior, seizures, trembling limbs and other symptoms that are similar to those caused by belladonna. In the Middle Ages, henbane was widely used in Germany to augment the inebriating qualities of beer. Additionally, extracts of Henbane and Belladonaa were used to create a ointment or salve that was applied directly to the skin. The mixture often caused vivid hallucinations.)
Fly Mushrooms (The mushrooms can be consumed in beverages or added to ointments. They can also be smoked or eaten. Once ingested, the symptoms are dizziness, delirium, intoxicating effects similar to imbibing too much alcohol. These symptoms are usually followed by a very deep sleep or even a coma.)
There are some poison antidotes too, at least medieval people believed so:
Gemstones â Certain gemstones were believed to ward off or neutralize the effects of poison. Emeralds and amethysts were set in jewelry so that they could be waved over the food which would supposedly get rid of the poison before consumption. These gems were also ground into a powder and added to beverages and food for the same purpose.
Tasters â It was common for monarchs to employ food tasters. These unfortunate employees would be forced to taste the food or drink that meant for the monarch before it was served to them. If the taster became sick or died â then the food was deemed to have been poisoned. If they suffered no ill effects â then the food must have been safe to eat.
Amulets and Talismans â It was also common for individuals to wear amulets or talismans that were designed to guard against the ill effects of poison.
Incense - The burning of incense was done in order to purify something. Therefore incense was used to ward off poison. The burning of Cypress, Fleabane, St. Johnâs Wort, Hassuck Grass, and Fennel was a very common practice.
Emetics â Several substances were used to induce vomiting in an effort to combat poison. Cabbage seeds, fig tree ashes, warm milk or butter were all common prescriptions for this purpose
Several herbal concoctions were believed to rid the effects of certain poisons:
Mulberry leaves boiled in vinegar were used to combat the effects of Henbane
Garlic was believed to be an antidote for serpentâs bites
Frankincense was often used to combat the effects of Hemlock
Mistletoe and Rue (which are both highly toxic themselves) were believed to ward off several poisons
Sources:
http://www.therensource.com/articles.asp?item=67
