Sardonic Herb

Giovani Appendino,an organic chemistry expert from Universita Degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale,Italy,discovered a kind of plant that produces a particular toxinpotion.This potion,when consumed,will put a facial expression on the dead person’s face which will make it look like it’s smiling.The plant is called Hemlock Water-Dropwort(Oenanthe Crocata)

The word Oenanthe is derived from greek ‘oinos’(wine)and ‘anthos’(flower)because the flowerof this plant has a wine like scent.This white-flower plant is the most likely candidate for the sardonic herb.Most of the species grow on damp grounds or in marshes and are found in some parts of Italy.Althougth the plant has a sweetish and pleasant taste,according to research,several of the species are very poisonous.The leaves can be eaten safely by animals,but the stems are the most poisonous part.

Giovani Appendino explained that this plant has a very high toxincontent.The particular symptom caused  by this toxinis exactly the same as it was described in ancient scripts.Homer’s Sardonic grin story became popular and inspired to write books about is phenomenon.The most poular example is Batman comic book series.In these comic book,Joker uses a toxin that can render his victims unconscious with a sinister smile plastered on their face.