Poisoning poisonous plants

From a scientific point of view, the toxicity of plants is determined by the presence of active substances – phytotoxins. These are toxic compounds produced by plants of certain species. Simplified by the chemical structure, phytotoxins are divided into groups:

• alkaloids;
• toxalbumins;
• glycosides.

These substances are produced by the plant itself and, depending on many reasons, are contained to a greater or lesser extent in various parts of it.

List of poisonous plants

There are a lot of poisonous plants, the most frequent and dangerous of them:

• henbane black;
• dope ordinary (all parts of the plant are poisonous);
• castor bean (a child eating 10 seeds can lead to death);
• bittersweet nightshade (attractive red fruits are often pulled into the mouth by children);
• wolfberry (for serious poisoning, 5 daphne berries are enough);
• lily of the valley (all parts are poisonous, including berries);
• crow’s eye (berries).

Among phytocosins, 3 main groups are distinguished.

Alkaloids

In the plant world, there are about 700 varieties of alkaloids and over 500 plants from risk groups. Moreover, some plant families are rich in alkaloids (poppy, legume, nightshade), while in others (rosaceae) they are not found at all.

Most of the alkaloids are neurotoxic poisons, but some species do not stop there and act backhanded. So, heliotrope and lupine alkaloids affect the liver, hellebore has a strong local irritation, and the well-known alkaloid solanine (remember the horror stories about green potatoes?) Seriously affects the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys in large doses.

Plants containing alkaloids:

• aconite;
• lupine;
• blackberry;
• colchicum;
• hemlock;
• wow
• weeds;
• helmet;
• sophora;
• ephedra;
• vivacity;
• dodder;
• henbane;
• belladonna (Belladonna);
• drugs;
• tobacco;
• kirkazon;
• poppies

Glycosides

Cardiac glycosides in therapeutic doses are even useful, because they have a cardiotonic and antiarrhythmic effect, increase myocardial performance, with their help in controlled doses and as prescribed by doctors, they effectively treat heart failure (digitis, lily of the valley, adonis, jaundice, oleander). However, they have a local irritating effect, which in all cases causes vomiting attacks and damage to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in case of digitalis and oleander poisoning.

This is a fairly large group of substances, but cyanoglycosides, thioglycosides and saponins have a toxicological hazard.

cyanogenic glycosides. Poisonous hydrocyanic acid, the simplest toxin of higher plants, is isolated as one of the products of hydrolysis. The poisoning effect is manifested in the blocking of the respiratory enzyme.

They are found in many plants, most often in the fruits of the stone fruit family: bitter almonds, peach pits, apricots, plums and cherries. Everyone remembers that eating 100 g of apricot kernels is deadly? And the lethal dose of hydrocyanic acid for large animals (cattle) is 0 g, for sheep and goats – 5 g. A few minutes after a short-term strong excitement, the animal falls in convulsions, making sharp sounds, and dies from asphyxia.

Cyanogens accumulate in plants during different periods of vegetation and most often under adverse conditions (drought, excessive moisture, frost, pest damage, trampling). Thus, clover accumulates cyanogenic glycosides in young plants before fruit set during frosts and severe drought.

Plants with a high content of cyanogenic glycosides:

• millet;
• linen;
• manna;
• alfalfa;
• clover.

Thioglycosides. These are glycosides with sulfur-containing aglycones, which, under the influence of enzymes, release allyl-mustard essential oil.

All plants containing thioglycosides belong to the cabbage family:

• rape;
• mustard;
• radish;
• zhrushushnik;
• yarutka, etc.

Of course, nothing will happen from one blade of grass, we are talking about large doses.

Saponins. A distinctive feature is the formation of a stable foam when mixed with water (sapo – soap).

Plants containing saponins:

• upload
• cockle;
• soap dish;
• oak anemone;
• poisonous buttercup;
• lumbago;
• clematis;
• cuckold;
• saved.

These plants most often become poisonous only during the flowering period and lose toxicity after drying for hay.

Toxoalbumins

Contained in a small number of plants, but very famous for their toxicological effects – they have immunogenic properties.

Plants containing toxoalbumins:

• milestone (hemlock) – the stem and rhizome milestone are especially dangerous in autumn and early spring, when they accumulate the maximum amount of hazardous substances;
• castor beans – poisoning causes the intake of 3 seeds, 6 seeds – deadly for children, 20 – for adults.

– In garden practice, there is also a list of plants that can really be dangerous when working with its individual parts, – says landscape designer, collector of rare plants Elena Kostrova. – For example, amazing velvichia (Welwitschia mirabilis), the juice from the underground part of which the natives of Namibia used to lubricate arrowheads. So they say about her, but perhaps this is an exaggeration. If you plan to repot, divide, or prune at-risk plants, take the precaution of wearing gloves, or at least don’t grab a sandwich or lick your fingers without washing your hands after handling the plant. Other Poisonous Plants You Can meet in the gardens:

• large-leaved hydrangea (all parts of the plant are poisonous);
• oleander (all parts are poisonous);
• rhododendron (all parts are poisonous, if ingested, they can cause a coma);
• snowberry (poisonous berries);
• privet (poisonous berries);
• euonymus (poisonous seeds);
• yew berry (all parts of the plant are poisonous, but the most dangerous are the fruits);
• juniper Cossack (poisonous fruits);
• bulbous flowers: galanthus (snowdrops), muscari, scillas (scylla), crocuses, hyacinths, daffodils – they have poisonous bulbs;
• callas (poisonous plant juice);
• acanite and delphinium (all parts of the plant are poisonous) – their toxins can penetrate the body even through the skin, and if there is any part, the poison paralyzes the work of the central nervous system and heart;
• aquilegia and hellebore (all parts are poisonous) – can cause burns to the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, nose and stomach, especially in children;
• foxglove (poisonous leaves).

Signs of poisoning by poisonous plants

They differ depending on which phytotoxin has entered the body.

Signs of alkaloid poisoning:

• dry mouth;
• rapid pulse;
• redness of the skin;
• dilated pupils;
• emotional arousal;
• visual hallucinations;
• convulsions;
• loss of consciousness.

Signs of poisoning with cyanogenic glycosides:

• arrhythmia;
• weakness;
• trembling in the muscles;
• salivation;
• dyspnea.

Signs of thioglycoside poisoning:

• pronounced irritant effect on the skin and mucous membranes;
• there may be a progressive weakening of cardiac activity and respiration, the thyroid gland.

Poisoning occurs 1-4 hours after ingestion.

Signs of saponin poisoning:

• have a hemolytic, local irritant effect;
• violate the functions of the gastrointestinal tract;
• weaken breathing and cardiac activity.

Signs of toxoalbumin poisoning:

• burning in the gastrointestinal tract;
• nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• colic in the abdomen.

In severe poisoning, the symptoms become dangerous:

• hemorrhagic gastritis;
• dehydration;
• cyanosis;
• stupor;
• collapse.

The action of toxoalbumin appears after 2-24 hours.

For specific plants, signs of poisoning look like this.

Bleached black:

• dryness of the oral mucosa and skin;
• skin rash;
• hoarseness of voice;
• thirst;
• nausea, vomiting;
• urinary retention;
• increased body temperature;
• convulsions.

The time of development of symptoms is from 10 minutes to 10-15 hours.

First aid: gastric lavage with a solution of sodium bicarbonate with activated charcoal, wet wrapping, cold on the head and inguinal regions.

Datura ordinary:

• dryness of the oral mucosa and skin;
• skin rash;
• hoarseness of voice;
• thirst;
• nausea, vomiting;
• urinary retention;
• increased body temperature;
• convulsions.

The time of development of symptoms is from 10 minutes to 10-15 hours.

First aid: gastric lavage with a solution of sodium bicarbonate with activated charcoal, wet wrapping, cold on the head, inguinal regions.

Castor bean:

• malaise;
• nausea, vomiting;
• pain and burning in the esophagus and stomach;
• headache;
• drowsiness;
• loss of orientation, consciousness;
• cyanosis;
• violation of cardiac activity;
• convulsions;
• decrease in body temperature.
  

First aid: repeated gastric lavage should be performed. It is also recommended an enema with the introduction of activated charcoal, taking mucous decoctions (jelly, jelly), complete rest with body heating.

Bittersweet nightshade:

• abdominal pain;
• nausea, vomiting;
• depressive state;
• dizziness;
• labored breathing;
• wrong pulse;
• violation of cardiac activity;
• coma.
  

First aid: gastric lavage with activated charcoal, artificial respiration. Unfortunately, urgent hospitalization and mechanical ventilation are often necessary.

Daphne:

• profuse salivation and problematic swallowing;
• pain in the intestines, accompanied by vomiting with blood impurities;
• burning sensation on the mucous membrane;
• convulsions;
• weakness, fainting.

When the juice of the plant comes into contact with the skin, pain, redness, swelling, then blisters and ulcers occur. In severe poisoning, blood appears in the urine. Possible death from cardiac arrest.

First aid: repeated gastric lavage, protection of burnt integuments. Removal of pain in the intestines with drugs such as Almagel, No-shpa.

Lily of the Valley May:

• severe nausea;
• headache;
• cuts in lives;
• darkening in the eyes.

First aid: shown gastric lavage with activated charcoal or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, saline laxatives.

Crow’s eye:

• nausea, vomiting;
• indigestion, intestinal pain;
• dizziness;
• severe headaches;
• pupil enlargement;
• labored breathing;
• violation of the heart;
• convulsions.

Paralysis and death are not ruled out.

First aid: abundant gastric lavage with a weak saline or manganese solution, sorbents (activated carbon, Enterosgel and others available). Complete rest until the doctors arrive.

First aid for poisonous plants

At the first sign of poisoning by poisonous plants, call an ambulance immediately!

Before the arrival of doctors, begin gastric lavage with saline, a 0,1% solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) or plain warm water. This procedure can be difficult due to clenched teeth and spasm of the masticatory muscles, then enemas are indicated. Nevertheless, try to still drink the poisoned person (at least 1 liter) and induce vomiting by irritating the root of the tongue with your fingers.

While waiting for medical assistance, consult with emergency doctors, as a rule, they agree on saline laxatives and enterosorbents (activated carbon, Polysorb, Enterosgel, etc.). These drugs bind toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and prevent them from entering the bloodstream.

If the poisoned person is unconscious, immediately check for breathing and heartbeat. In their absence, immediately begin resuscitation measures: artificial respiration, heart massage.

Treatment of poisonous plant poisoning

In most cases of poisoning by poisonous plants, hospitalization should be carried out in a medical institution.

Diagnostics

First of all, the doctor interviews the patient or, if it is a child, his parents, to find out what could cause the departure. In addition, the doctor studies the clinical picture of poisoning, symptoms. Assigns tests to detect the toxin.

Modern treatments

First of all, the patient is prescribed drugs that will help to quickly remove the toxin from the body: adsorbents, emetics. To eliminate the symptoms of poisoning, diuretics, cardiac, sedative and anti-allergic drugs are used.

In severe cases, resuscitation of the patient may be required.

Prevention of poisoning by poisonous plants

Children are at great risk of being poisoned by poisonous plants, collecting meadow flowers for wreaths and bouquets, making spitting tubes, pipes, whistles and other crafts from plants, confusing edible and inedible berries, playing forest kitchen. The poison can get into wounds, remains on the hands, which they often forget to wash, and enters the body when they lick their hands.

All children’s institutions are required to instruct employees and have clear instructions signed by the management on providing first aid to children in case of poisoning by poisonous plants and mushrooms. Be sure to teach children how to handle plants carefully, teach them about hygiene, talk about plants as much as possible, and do not let them go for walks in the forest alone.

Adults are advised not to buy herbal preparations and any organic products of “shamanic” origin from unknown sellers.

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