The world is full of natural medicinal wonders, but some species of flowers can be deadly. They have been used for centuries to poison people. However, botanists in the USA and Czechia have discovered that two particularly poisonous plants could be used to make new medicines. The scientists conducted research on two flowers: wolfsbane and larkspur. Small amounts of wolfsbane could cause death from respiratory paralysis or heart failure. Larkspur can cause skeletal muscle weakness. "Biohacking" of the plants' chemical makeup could create valuable medicines.

The researchers recreated the toxic compounds from the two plants. A study co-author said: "Understanding how to create them can help provide totally new routes for testing." They could be used to reduce pain, to treat malaria and cancer, and to kill pests. A biochemist said: "Plants are the best chemists around, upgrading their arsenal of natural compounds over millions of years to help them survive." Another researcher said: "Many of the medicines we use today either come directly from plants or are inspired by plant chemistry."