The oils are extremely toxic and, used carelessly, can prove highly irritating to surrounding skin. Taken internally, the herb causes an abnormal surge of blood in the lower abdominal organs, an effect which is sometimes employed to stimulate abortion. However, the drug is so poisonous that the mother's life is often in as much jeopardy as the baby's, and numerous fatalities have occurred. It is found in southern and central Europe, southern Russia, and the northern United States. For external use only.
Internal administration can lead to fatal poisoning.
Special Cautions Be careful to limit application to the wart alone. Contact with the surrounding skin can cause tissue death and blistering. If the drug is absorbed through the skin, it can lead to internal poisoning. Be aware that this herb becomes more dangerous with age. The longer the drug is stored, the more poisonous it becomes.