"Natural" does not mean "harmless"

As a proponent of natural products, I am not saying that all natural plants are good for you or that they are perfectly safe. Let's be smart! Do your homework. 

Many plants are poisonous to one degree or other; some will make you sick or alter your mental state. Nature's deterrent is that most toxic plants smell horrid! Ever sniffed a lily?  Blech! There are a few that in small doses can kill you, like Caster Bean seeds. The onion family is toxic to dogs as are tomatoes and potatoes (the foliage, not the produce). Even parts of many fruits are toxic if ingested in sufficient quantities. 

So what are the most toxic plants?

• Lilies are one of the top 5 poisonous plants in the world for both humans and animals!  Many pets, livestock, and young children die each year from eating lilies! You can still have them in your garden, just keep the kids and pets away. As mentioned above, they are not pleasant smelling.

• Foxglove is an old wildflower that can be very toxic. It has been around since the Middle Ages, tucked in between the tomatoes and chives. Authors mention it in many "mysteries" as the poison of choice.  It has been used in the past to produce digitalin, which is used to treat heart conditions. Digitalis toxicity causes abnormal heart rate, cardiac arrhythmia, dilated pupils, tremors, seizures, and death.  Don't try to make your own digitalin!!

  

  Deadly Foxglove, Georgeous Flowers



• Apple seeds contain small quantities of amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside. If you swallowed all the pips from one apple, there would not be enough poison to harm you. However, if you kept eating mouthfuls, you would eventually reach a fatal dose.

• Rhubarb has edible stalks, but the leaves contain oxalic acid, which can cause serious kidney disorders, convulsions and coma. The stalks, however, make a great rhubarb pie!


• Daffodils have bulbs that are toxic and can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  If enough is consumed, it can be fatal. The stems are also toxic and can cause blurred vision, vomiting and headaches.

• More flowers and plants that are toxic: hydrangeas, chrysanthemum, poison ivy, poison sumac, iris, ivy, mistletoe

• Toxic to pets: begonias, python, philodendron, etc. 

• Fruits and vegetables that are toxic to pets: grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, cherries, mushrooms, currants, raw and green potatoes, apricot, rhubarb, apple seeds,  tomato plants

More herbs - new finds

Every time I go to the store, I pick up some new plants- kind of an addiction! This week I bought  several Coneflowers, more Lavender and a Black-eyed Susan plant. 

Find #1: Coneflowers

Coneflowers, also known as Echinacea, have been around since before the pilgrims landed in Plymouth.  They have been used for hundreds of years by Native Americans. They tend to grow in eastern and central North America and thrive in moist to dry areas and woodlands. In the early

1800's, Coneflowers became a popular herbal remedy. 

Echinacea is available at pharmacies, health shops and supermarkets as teas, liquid extracts, a dried herb, and capsules or tablets. Proponents of Echinacea say that the herb encourages the immune system and reduces many of the symptoms of colds, flu and some other illnesses, infections and conditions. HOWEVER, if you have an autoimmune disease or allergies DO NOT USE THIS HERB!!!

Black-eyed Susan

Find #2: Black-eyed Susan

The Black-eyed Susan, while similar looking to Coneflowers, is an unrelated plant that has its own special properties. "Recent studies indicate that extracts made from the Black-eyed Susan root can be beneficial in stimulating the immune system. This herb has been used to treat some of the symptoms of the common cold, usually in the form of tea or infusion made from the root.

The root has been used traditionally as an herbal remedy to rid the body of parasitic worms. The Ojibwa, a Native American tribe also known as the Chippewa, used infusions of the roots to treat worms in children. The Ojibwa also made a poultice or external wash made from this herb as a treatment for snake bites.

This plant has diuretic properties and was used by the Native American tribes Menominee and Potawatomi to increase the flow of urine. A juice extracted from the roots has been used to treat earache. An infusion or tea made from the roots can be applied topically as an herbal remedy for minor cuts, sores, scrapes and swellings. An herbal remedy in the form of an infusion from the roots is used traditionally to treat dropsy.  A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers." Copyright @2015, The Herbal Resource.

Find #3: Lavender

Years ago I planted a few lavender plants in my backyard as I was particularly fond of purple. I was able to harvest tons of flowers from those plants and dry them and use them in bath salts, candles, etc. Only recently have I researched the positive healing effects of lavender.

Lavender is perhaps best known for its calming and soothing effects. There is evidence that it may slow the activity of the nervous system and therefore promote relaxation, improve sleep quality and bring about emotional balance. For this reason, it is often used in combination with other herbal remedies as it treats physical symptoms with a nervous element, such as tension induced headaches, heart palpitations, or stress related digestive issues.  

Lavender’s calming effect on the nervous system has also made it a valuable herbal remedy for the treatment of insomnia. Traditionally, lavender flowers were stuffed into pillows to help restless people sleep and today lavender is a common ingredient in baby bath soaps to promote restful sleep.

This medicinal herb is used topically to treat fungal infections, wounds, eczema, varicose ulcers, sunburned skin and acne.

Lavender is thought to be a useful herbal remedy for many symptoms associated with menstruation and other female related ailments. Its anti-spasmodic effect may relieve menstrual cramps and it could be useful in relieving headaches and exhaustion as well as improving mood. It is also thought to stimulate blood flow to the pelvic area and uterus and therefore stimulate menstruation.

I've made use of lavender and lavender oil in many recipes, and I'm looking forward to using some of these other finds.  I hope you found this information helpful, and keep a look out for future posts about these herbs!