> Rye is subject to a parasitic fungus called ergot.
>"ergot poison" is refered to chemically as Lysergic Acid Dithalamine.
>LSD.
The ergot fungus, which is related to corn smut, produces an hallucinogen
called ergotamine. It is similiar to LSD. It is thought that the grain
stores in Salem were contaminated by a wet winter. Ergotamine poisoning is
consistent with the observation that many of the people reported
constipation.
Both witches' sabbaths and astral attacks are explained through the
>halucingenic effect.
Witches don't eat contaminated grains, as a rule. :-) The best use of
natural hallucinogens in Europe would involve licking toads which contain
bufotenin in their skins.
Should we post this to the holistic med list, too? They might think it
interesting.
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Middle-aged American women who eat a lot of starchy
foods have an increased risk of diabetes.
JAMA 277:472 Feb.1997
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