The plants offered by Mother Nature have medical, protective, benefactor properties, and others are dangerous. The limit is very fine. Hence the importance of knowing and knowing how to use plants. Discover here the most known poisonous plants!
lily of the valley
At a certain time of the year, poisonous lily of the valley blooms abundantly and appears in flower shops and in some gardens. They are fragrant plants and seem harmless, however, this is a false impression. All parts of the Lily of the valley contain substances irritating and toxic for the heart.
The cases of exposure occur during the short flowering period of the plant. Of the vomiting often occur after ingestion, which limits the absorption of toxic substances by the body. In the event of swallowing of a large quantity, cardiac care and monitoring in a hospital setting are mandatory.
aconite
It is found everywhere in Europe, especially in the French mountain ranges. Nicknamed “Minerva’s helmet”, the “monk’s hood”, or even “wolf killer”, aconite is a plant known since antiquity. It would be said to come from the slime of the fangs of Cerberus. This is the dog with three heads, guardian of hell according to Greek mythology.
Aconite has long been famous for its properties poisonous, however, that doesn’t stop him from claiming victims again and again. One of the sadly famous dramas remains the death of a couple of hikers in 2018. They got poisoned by consuming aconite which they had mistaken for an edible plant.
Hemlock
Cases of poisoning are very rare. Indeed, this plant which is found everywhere in North Africa, North America and on the Eurasian continent, exalts an unpleasant odor. This happens especially when the hemlock is wrinkled or chewed.
The hemlock is the poison which served to execute one of the greatest philosophers in history. This is Socrates. The latter was condemned to death by his compatriots because he had a belief other than theirs. poisoning with hemlock is characterized by violent convulsions, bulging eyes. There is also a flow of saliva, delirium and pain and if nothing is done, death ensues.
Castor
The next hazardous natural resource is castor. Ricin, its toxin, has the merit of being one of the most formidable in the whole plant kingdom. Harmless and reputed to be very purgativethe castor native to tropical countries is above all known for its oil, castor oil.
The plant has been known for millennia. On the other hand, as for the ricin, it is only very recently that it made its entry into the repertoire of poisons. Today, ricin is talked about especially in the bioterrorism. The abundance of castor oil and its low price make ricin one of the most dangerous poisons in the world.
belladonna
It takes its name from the ItalianBelladonna which means “beautiful lady”. One of the active principles of Belladonna is used by ophthalmologists to dilate the pupil. However, what must be remembered about this small shrub is that its fruit is extremely toxic.
It acts on the nervous system and also causes tachycardia, violent digestive disorders. She is also responsible for a embarrassed respiratory which may result in death. It was used in the Middle Ages during the interrogations of witches.