List of poisonous plants : Most dangerous plants in the world : pharmacyteach.com

List of poisonous plants: Most dangerous plants in the world

Introduction

 

You know that saying, “curiosity killed the cat”? Well, in the case of poisonous plants, it might be more accurate to say “curiosity saved the cat.”

 

Thanks to people’s natural curiosity and desire to explore, many poisonous plants have been discovered and their therapeutic potential has been explored. While some of these plants are deadly, others offer significant medicinal benefits. In this article, we will take a look at 10 poisonous plants and their pharmacognosy.

 

What Are Poisonous?

Before going to a discussion of poisonous plants it is important to know little about “what is poison ?”

Any substance that causes discomfort in the living body when administered by any route( topical, inhalation, or oral route ) the result of poison may be moderate or severe and even can cause death.

 

 What Are Poisonous Plants?

The plants that produced “toxins “ which have harmful effects on animals and human beings are known as poisonous plants. Some plants are irritants on contact also included in poisonous plant categories. The study of such plants is known as phytotoxicology [1].

 

Plants toxins serve as a protective mechanism against herbivores (animals that eat plants ) so plants are fixed to their places and can not move to escape from animals. therefore some plants adopted the process of producing toxins. Plants also made defenses physically such as prickles, thorns, etc . but chemical protection is mostly common in plants.

Toxins are bitter and irritant in nature which causes discomfort after eating that particular plant. Some plant toxins are highly dangerous and can lead to death even eating in small quantities.

 

 There are all sorts of poisonous plants out there, and it’s important to be able to identify them.

 

The good news is that not all plants that look harmful are poisonous. For example, daffodil is a beautiful flower, but it’s not poisonous. However, there are plenty of plants that are both dangerous and deadly.

 

So what makes a plant poisonous? The main toxins found in poisonous plants are alkaloids, glycosides, and saponins. Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing compounds that can cause poisoning when ingested. Glycosides are sugar-containing compounds that can also cause poisoning. And saponins are glycosides that form soaps in water—hence the name.

 

What is the Classification of  Poisonous Plants?

 

Poisonous plants are classified in different ways. But mostly classified in the following order;

1. Poison by eating
2. Poison by contact
3. Poison by producing photosensitization
4. Poison by creating airborne allergies

You may be surprised to learn that some of the most poisonous plants in the world are actually quite common. For example, did you know that the tomato is a member of the nightshade family?

 

And while all parts of the tomato plant are edible, the leaves and stems contain a toxin called solanine. Solanine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death if ingested in large quantities.

 

But that’s not the only deadly plant out there. Here are 10 of the most poisonous plants on earth, and some of their nasty effects:

 

5 poisonous plants and their pharmacognosy:-

 

1)   Amaryllis

 

Botanical Name:-   Amaryllis

Common Name:- Jersey Lily

Poisonous Parts:- BulB

Poisonous content:- Lycorine

 

Symptoms:-

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Salivation
• Abdominal Pain
• Excessive Salivation

 

 2)    Caladium:-

Botanical name :- Caladium hortulanum

Common name:-  Elephants Ears

Poisonous parts:- All parts

Poisonous content:- Calcium oxalate crystals and Asparagine

Symptoms:-

• Swelling of mouth or tongue
• Redness, pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Burning of the eyes
• Vomiting
• Larger Doses cause  Digestive, Breath problems
• Larger Doses cause Convulsion, coma, death

 

3)  Dieffenbachia:-

Botanicl name :-  diffenbachia seguina

Common name:- Dumb cane

Poisonous parts:- All parts ( leaves)

Poisonous content:- Calcium Oxalate Crystals

 

Symptoms:-

• Swelling of mouth and tongue
• Death can occur as a result of tongue swelling.
• Impediment speech
• Damage to the cornea of the eye
• It can kill a child in 1 min and an adult in 15 min.

 

 

4 )  Hyacinth :-

Botinical name : Hyacinthus orientails

Common name : Hyacinth

Poisonous parts : Bulb

Poisonous content : oxalic acid

 

Symptoms:-

• Stomach cramps
• Skin irritation
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Salivation
• Vomiting
•  

5 ) Poinsettia:-

Botanical name : Euphorbia pulcherrina

Common name : Poinsettia

Poisonous part: unknown

 

Symptoms:-

• Avoid contact with the eyes
• Skin irritation; redness
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea

 

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What Are the Poisonous Chemicals in These Plants?

 

You’re probably familiar with a few of these plants—even if you don’t know they’re poisonous. For example, take a look at the castor bean. Ricin is the poison that’s found in its seeds.

 

It’s pretty nasty stuff. Just a few milligrams is enough to kill an adult. And it’s been used in assassinations and terrorism plots.

 

But ricin isn’t the only poison found in plants. There are all sorts of deadly chemicals lurking in their leaves, stems, and flowers. So it’s important to know what they are and to be careful around these plants.

 

What Is the Pharmacognosy of These Poisonous Plants?

 

What is the pharmacognosy of these poisonous plants? In other words, what are they used for?

 

Well, most of these plants have been used for centuries in traditional medicine. For example, the opium poppy has been used to make opium and heroin. The deadly nightshade has been used to treat snake bites, and the castor oil plant has been used to make laxatives.

 

But as with any traditional medicine, you need to be careful. These plants can be powerful and dangerous, so it’s important to always consult a qualified health professional before using them.

 

What Are the Clinical Symptoms of Poisoning From These Plants?

 

So what are the clinical symptoms of poisoning? Let’s take a look.

 

Ackee: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, convulsions

 

Belladonna: blurred vision, dry mouth and throat, difficulty urinating, constipation, headache, dizziness, confusion, delirium

 

Castor Bean: nausea and vomiting within one to six hours of ingestion, followed by intense thirst and diarrhea; dehydration; loss of appetite; abdominal pain; extreme weakness; tremors; seizures; coma

 

Hemlock: excessive saliva production, difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis leading to death.

 

How Can These Plants Be Used Therapeutically?

 

While the leaves, berries, and flowers of these plants may be deadly, some parts of them can be used therapeutically. For example, the datura plant has been used to make medicine for centuries.

 

The leaves and flowers are used to make a tea that’s used to treat a number of issues, such as asthma, bronchitis, and even pain relief. The alkaloids in the plant have a numbing effect on the body, which is why it’s often used to treat toothaches.

 

The tea can also be used as a sedative or hallucinogen. So, if you’re ever in a situation where you need to treat someone for a poison plant ingestion, make sure to know which plants are safe to use.

 

Are There Any Poisonous Plants That Are Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

 

There are a few poisonous plants that are used in traditional Chinese medicine. One example is aconite, which is a type of monkhood. It’s a very potent herb used to treat various conditions, including pain, inflammation, and asthma.

 

But aconite is also very poisonous, and it can cause heart problems, seizures, and even death. So it’s essential to be careful when using any traditional Chinese medicines and to always consult with a qualified healthcare professional.

 

What Are the Poisonous Plants That Are Used in Western Herbal Medicine?

 

There are a number of poisonous plants that are used in Western herbal medicine. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

 

One of the most poisonous plants is belladonna, also known as the deadly nightshade. It’s been used for centuries in herbal medicine, but it’s also been used for poisoning and as a murder weapon. Belladonna contains atropine, which is a powerful neurotoxin.

 

Conium maculatum, or hemlock, is another poisonous plant that’s been used in herbal medicine. It’s extremely toxic and can cause respiratory paralysis and death.

 

Then there’s Aconitum napellus or monkshood. This plant contains a number of toxic alkaloids, including aconitine, which can cause heart irregularities and death.

 

How Can You Avoid Being Poisoned by These Plants?

 

So, what can you do to avoid being poisoned by these plants? It’s actually not that difficult.

 

If you’re out hiking or camping, be aware of what plants are in your area and avoid them. If you have any doubts about a plant, don’t eat it! And if you do accidentally ingest a poisonous plant, seek medical help right away.

 

It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your pets outdoors. Many of these plants are poisonous to animals as well as humans.

 

So be safe and be smart—and remember that just because a plant is poisonous doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful.

 

Conclusion

You should be careful when handling any plant, as some of them contain poisonous chemicals that can harm you. Even if you don’t intend to touch or eat the plant, it’s important to be aware of its dangers.

 

 

References

1 . Britannica  “Plant poisons (phytotoxins)” Jul 26, 1999.