5 Medicines Derived From Poisons

Poisons as medicine: It’s not a phrase that sparks a lot of comfort. However, people have been using toxins for health purposes throughout history. Plants and animals provide rich sources of chemicals that can be both deadly and medicinal. Because they are fixed in the ground, plants have become skilled at producing chemical defenses against organisms that eat them and plants that may invade their space. Some animals have developed similar defenses. Poison dart frogs, for example, can secrete a toxin through their skin, making them a dangerous and unappetizing snack for predators. Though certain plants and organisms produce toxins, scientists have found ways to use those toxins in medicine to help improve lives. Here are five medicines derived from poisonous plants and natural materials.