Corn Cockle

Scientific Name(S): Agrostemma githago L:, Family: Caryophyllaceae

Common Name(S): Cockle, corn campion, corn cockle, corn rose, crown-of-the-field, purple cockle

Uses of Corn Cockle

Com cockle has been used in folk medicine to treat a range of ills, from parasites to cancer.

Botany: Agrostemma githago is an annual herb showing a few erect branches which are heavily pubescent overall. The leaves are linear lanceolate and the flowers red growing up to 2 inches broad. It was originally native to Europe but has long been naturalized in the US to the extent that it is a troublesome weed in winter wheat fields.

History: Though corn cockle has an attractive red flower, it is not usually cultivated horticulturally and is generally considered a weed. In fact, its seeds have long been considered poisonous; it causes problems when gathered together with cereal grains with which it grows as a weed. In European folklore, its seeds have been used for treating cancers, hard tumors, warts and apostemes (hard swellings in the uterus). Seeds have also been put into the conjunctival sac to induce keratocon-junctivitis. Its saponins are irritating and have been claimed to have local anesthetic effects.

Side Effects of Corn Cockle

Corn cockle may produce chronic or acute, potentially fatal poisoning.

Toxicology: The sapoinins githagin and agrostemmic acid are reported to be absorbable from the alimentary canal and may produce systemic poisoning, including gastrointestinal irritation, severe muscle pain and twitching, followed by depression and coma. In veterinary experiences, poultry and livestock have been poisoned by the seeds of corn cockle. As a seed, it commonly contaminates wheat seed. Hogs that have ingested the roots have died. Consumption of 0.2% to 0.5% of the body weight of seed is lethal to young birds. Cows have also died from this seed. The repeated ingestion and chronic poisoning by small doses of corn cockle is referred to as githagism. Acute poisoning by large doses is manifested by vertigo, respiratory depression, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation and paralysis. Gastric lavage or emesis are recommended for poison treatment.

Summary: Since there are few, if any, modern acceptable medical uses for corn cockle, its record of toxicity relegates it to the category of a poisonous plant. It cannot be recommended for any of the reported folklore uses. The seeds and roots of A.githago are the most toxic parts of the plant, probably due to the numerous saponins reported.