Medicine History

Daffodils have a long history of being used medicinally. The Greek physician Hippocrates (BC 460-370), known as the father of medicine, recommended daffodil oil for uterine tumors. Roman Pliny the Elder (AD 23-79) recommended topical use of the oil. The bulbs have also been used topically to treat tumors in North Africa, in Central America, in Arabian medicine, and in Chinese medicine during the Middle Ages. Traditional Japanese medicine uses the root to treat wounds.

CAUTION! Daffodils Can Be Deadly

Before the very end of this article I feel it important to give a big dose of caution to anyone considering experimenting with daffodil medicine. There have been numerous cases of death caused by ingesting daffodil bulbs. Generally it’s believed that these people had mistaken the bulbs for garlic or onion and so had cooked and consumed a large amount. The Daffodil Society also warns on their site that although daffodils have traditionally been used to induce volmiting and as a poultice for burns and wounds. The poison lycorine is concentrated mostly in the bulb but in also found in daffodil leaves. Daffodil’s reputation as a poisonous bulb has caused it to be used in suicide attempts. It’s poison is fatal if consumed in large enough quantities. Besides lycorine, Narcissus bulbs also contain microscopic needle-like chemicals called oxalates. These chemicals can cause skin irritations and severe irritation and burning of the lips, tongue, and throat if ingested.

Research Reveals How Daffodils May Help Cure Cancer

There’s a reason why many cancer-fighting charities have adopted the daffodil as a symbol. Just over a year ago new research was published in the journal Structure which found that a chemical in daffodils is effective at killing cancer cells. The research out of Belgium was led by Denis Lafontaine and focused on the naturally occurring chemical hemanthamine (HAE) found in Narcissus. The chemical, which is part of the same family as quinine (compound used to combat malaria) and ephedrine (compound used to treat asthma) produces strong physiological effects in humans. In regards to cancer treatment, the compound overcomes the cancer cell’s resistance to cell death. The study identified the specific mechanisms involved whereby hemanthamine causes cancer cell death. Alzheimers is another disease that is already being treated with one of daffodil’s chemical compounds.