The root is equally purgative and emetic. The leaves, like the latex, are vesicant, and have been used by beggars to incite pity-producing blisters. Homeopathically the seeds are used for erysipelas, paralysis, and rheumatism. The seed oil is applied to burns. L-dopa is used for symptomatic relief of Parkinson's disease, and is said to have produced some astounding rejuvenating effects, inducing priapism, on some senile males who took it.
Stalks contain hentriacontane, taraxerone, taraxerol, b -sitosterol, and betulin.
Sachs et al. I predict that if all plants are studied in detail, they will be found to contain both carcinogens and antitumor or cytotoxic compounds. According to Hager's Handbuch, human overdoses result in burning mouth, nausea, diarrhea, dilated pupils and collapse with pallor, rigidity, frigidity, cold sweats, arrhythmic pulse, vertigo, delirium, alternating hot and cold flashes, cramps, etc. The plant has caused poisoning in children. Five California women are said to have pickled the fruits, believing them to be capers.