Ninja Poison

Whereas the Ninjas are known for the use of skilled martial art and sophisticated weapons considering their time, poison was their other strength. Ninja poison was especially effective when used with throwing spikes or darts. Many unsuspecting opponents were killed by coy female ninjas just by blowing a poisoned dart into their face without their knowledge. This was very effective especially at close quarters.

Poisoning was very successful and rarely backfired making it a choice for many. Most poisons were derived from animals and plants especially Fungi. Fungi taken out of the blow fish can be a very deadly weapon and chances of survival were next to zero.

Another type of poison was derived from a toad scientifically classified as bufo marinus. Used on spear tips, shurikens(throwing stars) or darts, it did its work perfectly.  Once the tip met its target, it was just a matter of time for a fatality to occur marking the success of the mission for the warrior.  These weapons carried very little risk to the Ninja unless he could somehow hurt himself when reaching for the weapons.

Cyanide was also an effective poison and was derived from common fruit like apple seeds cherry seeds among others sources. Due to its ready availability, it was widely sued. Cyanide renders a victim cells unable to use oxygen and can send a victim into a coma in a very short time. Tomato leaves and rhubarb were also another good source of organic poison. They lead to cardiac arrest.

Insects such as spiders and scorpions were also good sources of effective poison that was sure to wok against any victim. Sometimes there even no need to extract the poison as one could easily unleash a few spiders into the bed of the adversary and be assured of a clean job. A spider’s bite is very lethal and causes acute pain to the victim. If no antidote is administered muscle spasms occur and one can easily become unconscious.  Killing a victim in this state is relatively easy.

The mushroom amanita phalloides releases a very deadly poison that can even be more effective than cyanide. Modern research shows that it can even be ten times more potent than cyanide and the smart ninjas already had this knowledge. The mushroom could be added into a targets meal and finish them without arousing prior suspicion.

Not all of these ninjas poisons were used for the purpose of killing straight away. Some were used to immobilize the victims and enabled the ninjas have an easy entry into guarded places. In other cases a ninja would be aiming at causing a disability on the victim for example visual blindness or paralysis. Temporary immobilization of the victim could also help in covert operations whereby the warrior didn't want to arouse suspicion. For example a guard would be immobile so ninjas could spy without having to face the risk of reinforcements.

Though ninjas may not be famous because of their knowledge in chemistry and poisoning, it was still a very effective weapon and cannot be ignored or expunged from the warriors’ legend.