In the fields of the countryside, you can see vibrant plants everywhere, some of which seem ordinary, but hide highly poisonous and pose a potential threat to people's lives. For these plants, we should be vigilant enough, recognize their two sides, and do not pick and eat them out of curiosity.
The two-sided nature of nightshade
Nightshade, a plant that grows on the edge of fields, wastelands and near villages, is found almost all over China. This plant is divided into "red sunflower" and "blue sunflower", just like the characters in the third chapter of Sword and Fairy, it has two sides. In Guangxi, Guangdong and other places, people usually use their young stems and leaves as vegetables for consumption or medicine.
However, the whole plant contains certain toxicity, and the main ingredient is solanine, which has the ability to lyse blood cells. Therefore, when eating, be sure to fully cook or blanch the leaves, especially the leaves, choose tender leaves when eating raw, chop and mix with vinaigrette to reduce toxicity. The fruit should also be eaten only when it is fully ripe, and the amount still needs to be controlled. In addition, the whole plant of nightshade can also be used in medicine, but it needs to be properly processed before use, and combined with detoxifying herbs.
The dangers of castor
Castor, a shrub native to Egypt and India, was introduced to China via the Silk Road. Its fruit contains ricin, which destroys the ribosomes of human cells and is extremely toxic. Just 22 micrograms per kilogram of body weight can cause half of all mammals to die.
Although castor beans grow quickly and the fruit is attractive when ripe, its toxicity should not be overlooked. Especially after contact with children, wash your hands with soap and water in time to avoid danger.
The hidden toxicity of the iron tree fruit
Iron tree, a common roadside tree, has beautiful flowers and fruits, but it is highly poisonous. The frequency of flowering and fruiting of iron trees is quite low, and it only takes ten or twenty years to usher in a flowering period. This has led to little understanding of its flowers and fruits, and some have even eaten them by mistake.
Iron tree fruit contains strong toxicity to the human body, and can lead to poisoning after ingestion, manifested as dizziness, vomiting, limb weakness and other symptoms, and even life-threatening. Therefore, when appreciating the beauty of the iron tree, it is important to be vigilant and not to trust appearances.
Konjac's Q-bomb trap
Konjac is a perennial herb widely cultivated in southern China, which is used to make konjac tofu and other delicacies. However, the whole konjac plant has a certain toxicity, especially the tuber is the most toxic, and eating it raw will cause poisoning.
In the southern provinces, konjac has become a characteristic industry, with a huge output, and is exported abroad. However, despite the advantages of konjac storage resistance, easy food processing, and high economic benefits, people still need to pay attention to its toxicity when eating it and do not eat it raw.
Hidden dangers in the massan fruit
Marsan, a plant that grows in rural areas in the south, has a fruit similar to that of mulberries and is easy to ingest. Marsanberry fruit contains highly toxic marsanine, which can cause poisoning symptoms and even life-threatening after consumption.
In the summer, when the wild fruit is ripe, special care should be taken not to eat the fruit by mistake. In the event of accidental ingestion, you should be taken to the hospital quickly and stay awake.
The dangerous "red ginseng" of the vertical Shang Lu
Native to South America, it was widely distributed after it was introduced to China. Similar to the Chinese herb Shanglu, the root of the vertical Shanglu is thicker, and it is easy to be mistaken for the precious medicinal herb ginseng. Some people make it into "red ginseng" and sell it in the market, but at the same time, it is also eaten by mistake.
However, the whole plant contains toxic compounds such as saponins and alkaloids, especially the fruit. It can cause symptoms of poisoning and even death after consumption. For this poisonous plant, we must be vigilant and not trust products such as "red ginseng" on the market.
In the rural jungle, these six plants exist quietly like "poisonous weeds". We must learn to discern and maintain reverence for nature, so as not to suffer unnecessary harm due to momentary curiosity. While enjoying nature, protecting your own life is the most important thing.