A poisonous alkaloid compound found in yellow jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) that acts as a nervous system depressant.
From the plant genus 'Gelsemium' + chemical suffix '-ine'. Named in the 19th century when chemists identified and isolated this specific toxic compound.
Gelsemine is absolutely fascinating because yellow jasmine is gorgeous and fragrant—but it's so toxic that indigenous peoples historically used it as an arrow poison! Beauty hiding deadliness in a single word.
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