Poisons: Between Life and Death

Since ancient times, poisons have been an enduring companion to humanity, playing a key role in myths, struggles for power, rituals, and medicine. They can both kill and heal, and everything depends only on the right dose.

Biologist Elina Stoyanova’s book offers an exciting journey through the world of poisons, covering Chinese medicine, poisoned arrows of indigenous peoples, shamanic potions, and deadly cosmetics of European ladies. Readers will learn about the mechanisms of action of famous poisons such as curare, aconite, and belladonna, and will discover the mysteries of the “crab’s eye,” cinnabar, and bezoar stones. In addition, the book examines the use of poisons in modern medicine.

How does the Western perception of poisons differ from the Chinese one? What was “hemlock” that poisoned Socrates, and what made soma special—a drink of Indian gods? What plant was called in China the “lord of a hundred medicines,” and in Greece was used to poison wolves? How can a poison be turned into a medicine? Are there poisonous birds? And what can poisons tell us about different cultures and about humankind as a whole?

The world of poisons is vast, complex, and full of secrets. It’s a story intertwining life and death, light and darkness—one that continues to this day. And perhaps, ahead of us, there will be many more unexpected discoveries in this amazing world.