Ergot

Claviceps purpurea

Other Names: Claviceps purpurea, Cockspur Rye, Cornezuelo, Ergot de Seigle, Hornseed, Mai Jiao, Mother of Rye, Secale Cornutum, Smut Rye, Spurred Rye, Purpurbrauner Mutterkornpilz, Moederkoorn, 맥각균
Ergot or ergot fungi refers to a group of fungi of the genus Claviceps. The most prominent member of this group is Claviceps purpurea ("rye ergot fungus"). This fungus grows on rye and related plants, and produces alkaloids that can cause ergotism in humans and other mammals who consume grains contaminated with its fruiting structure.
See also : Secale Cornutum (Homeopathy)

Special Precautions of Ergot

• Ergotism is the name for sometimes severe pathological syndromes affecting humans or other animals that have ingested plant material containing ergot alkaloid, such as ergot-contaminated grains.The common name for ergotism is "St. Anthony's Fire".
• The neurotropic activities of the ergot alkaloids may also cause hallucinations and attendant irrational behaviour, convulsions, and even death.
• Other symptoms include strong uterine contractions, nausea, seizures, high fever, vomiting, loss of muscle strength and unconsciousness.
• It is UNSAFE for anyone to use ergot, but some people have extra reasons not to use it:
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s UNSAFE to use ergot. Ergot has many effects that can be harmful during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Don’t use it.
• Heart disease: Ergot can narrow blood vessels and make heart disease worse.
• Kidney disease: People with kidney problems are not able to flush ergot out of their bodies well enough. This can cause ergo to build up, and that increases the risk of ergot poisoning.
• Liver disease: People with liver problems are not able to remove ergot from their bodies well enough. This can cause ergo to build up, and that increases the risk of ergot poisoning.
• Narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the legs and feet (peripheral vascular disease): Ergot can narrow blood vessels and make this condition worse.
• Medications for depression (Antidepressant drugs) interacts with ERGOT
• Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with ERGOT
• Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others) interacts with ERGOT
• Ergot Derivatives interacts with ERGOT
• Medications that decrease the breakdown of other medications in the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors) interacts with ERGOT
• Meperidine (Demerol) interacts with ERGOT
• Pentazocine (Talwin) interacts with ERGOT
• Stimulant drugs interacts with ERGOT
• Tramadol (Ultram) interacts with ERGOT

Health Benefits and uses of Ergot are

• Vasoconstrictor : Ergot contains chemicals that can help reduce bleeding by causing a narrowing of the blood vessels.
• Despite serious safety concerns, ergot has been used as medicine. Women use it to treat excessive bleeding during menstrual periods, at the start of menopause, and before and after miscarriage.
• To improve muscle contractions.
• They also use ergot after childbirth to expel the placenta and contract the uterus.