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Agrostemma githago, commonly known as corncockle, is an annual herbaceous plant that grows 30 to 80 cm tall. It is evenly but sparsely covered with felt-like simple, long, soft gray hairs that are more or less pressed against the plant. It has a thin taproot, slightly branched.

The stem is erect, round, elongated, leafy, either simple or with a few spreading branches near the top.

The leaves are simple, opposite, sessile, without stipules, slightly fused at the base. They are linear or linear-lanceolate, sharply pointed, entire-edged, with pinnate venation, and measure 3–13 cm in length and 2–10 mm in width.

The flowers are relatively large, solitary, and located at the ends of the stem and branches. They are regular, actinomorphic, and complete. The calyx is tubular, fused, and deeply divided into 5 linear lobes, each 2–3 cm long and about 2 mm wide, longer than the tube. The calyx tube is 1.5–2 cm long, with 10 prominent veins clearly visible on its surface.

The corolla lacks bracts, is free-petaled, and shorter than the calyx. It consists of five dark pink, obovate petals with slightly notched lobes and a narrow claw that bears two wing-like longitudinal ridges.

The androecium includes ten free stamens in two whorls. The flower is obdiplostemonous; the outer stamens are attached at the base of the petals. The filaments are thin and longer than the petal claws. The anthers are elongated, forked, mobile, and open inward (introrse).

The gynoecium is syncarpous, formed from five fused carpels with a single pistil. The ovary is superior, unilocular, with central placentation. There are five long styles with slender, hairy, slightly twisted stigmas.

The fruit is an oval capsule, one-chambered, containing 30–40 seeds, and is longer than the calyx tube. It opens at the top with five short teeth. The seeds are relatively large, 2.5–3.5 mm long, rounded-kidney-shaped, slightly flattened, almost black, and covered with concentric rows of sharp spines.

Corncockle reproduces by seeds, which have nearly 100% germination rate and remain viable for up to 10 years. The seeds can germinate in spring or autumn, and the autumn sprouts survive winter well.

Harvesting of Raw Materials

For use in folk medicine, corncockle (Agrostemma githago) is harvested in summer, typically in June–July, during the flowering period. At that time, the stems, leaves, and flowers are collected. The seeds and roots are harvested in autumn, after the seed capsules have matured.

The plant material is dried in well-ventilated areas or outdoors under shelter, away from direct sunlight. Corncockle must be stored in tightly sealed canvas bags or plastic containers, clearly labeled and kept separate from other herbs, as the plant is toxic.

The shelf life of the dried raw material is no more than 18 months.

Chemical Composition

Corncockle seeds contain up to 7% of the toxic glycoside githagin, which includes agrostemmic acid, fatty oils, lecithin, starch, and coloring substances similar to those found in ergot (Claviceps).

Pharmacological Properties

The medicinal properties of Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) are mainly attributed to its seeds. They possess diuretic, hemostatic, expectorant, and anthelmintic effects. The aerial parts of the plant have fewer therapeutic benefits but still share some of the same actions as the seeds—namely, diuretic, anthelmintic, and hemostatic effects. Additionally, analgesic and sedative properties have been noted for Corncockle herb.

Use in Traditional Medicine

The use of Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) in folk medicine is relatively rare due to the plant’s high toxicity, especially its seeds. If a decision is made to use a decoction or tincture internally, treatment should only be carried out under medical supervision.

For conditions such as colds, ARVI, acute respiratory infections, whooping cough, stomach pain, and uterine bleeding, a water infusion of the herb is used.

Externally, the infusion of Corncockle herb is used in the form of washes, compresses, and lotions for the treatment of hemorrhoids and various skin conditions. In Bulgarian folk medicine, fresh leaves and herb are applied as poultices or compresses to treat dermatosis, furunculosis, and hemorrhoids.

Contraindications and Side Effects

The toxic glycoside githagin (agrostemmin) – C₂₇H₂₈O₁₁, found in the seeds of corncockle, affects the heart and nervous system and destroys red blood cells. Additionally, githagin has a strong irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Consumption of just 3–5 grams of seeds (which may end up ground into flour if the grain field is infested with corncockle) can cause excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Later symptoms may include general weakness, depressed cardiac function, convulsions, severe kidney irritation, and paralysis.

In the case of corncockle seed poisoning, immediate multiple gastric lavages should be performed using a water suspension of activated charcoal (30 g per 0.5–1.0 L of water) or a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution. After that, mucilaginous decoctions should be taken hourly – diluted starch, fruit or milk jelly, gelatin-based drinks, etc. The patient requires complete rest and warmth. Further treatment is symptomatic, depending on the course of poisoning symptoms.

Corncockle seed poisoning can occur not only in humans but also in animals. Feeding flour or bran contaminated with corncockle seeds to horses, cows, or pigs may result in poisoning and even death, especially in young livestock, which are particularly sensitive. Without treatment, severely poisoned animals may die within three days.

There are strict contraindications for the use of corncockle in children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened health or chronic diseases. For these groups, using any folk remedies based on this plant is strictly prohibited.