What is plant poisoning?
Some types of plants naturally contain chemicals (toxins) that can harm you. Other plants may become poisonous from being sprayed with pesticides.
Some common plants are poisonous if eaten
Avoid eating unfamiliar plants you find outdoors
Always wash fruits and vegetables before eating them to remove pesticides and chemicals
People can die of plant poisoning, but most people recover
Call for emergency medical assistance (911 in most areas of the United States) if you or someone else may have eaten poisonous plants and seems very sick, or call the poison control center for advice (1-800-222-1222 in the United States). The World Health Organization provides a world directory of poison centers.
What plants can poison you?
These plants are very poisonous and can kill you:
Castor beans
Jequirity beans
Poison hemlock
Water hemlock
Oleander
Foxglove
Many other plants cause less serious poisoning.
What are the symptoms of plant poisoning?
Castor beans, jequirity beans, and water hemlock may cause:
Severe throwing up
Diarrhea (frequent, loose, watery poop) that can be bloody
Confusion
Seizures (when your body moves or jerks out of your control)
Coma (when you're unconscious and can't be woken up)
Death
Hemlock poisoning can cause symptoms within 15 minutes:
Dry mouth
Fast heartbeat
Shaking without meaning to (tremors)
Sweating
Seizures
Muscle weakness
Oleander, foxglove, and lily of the valley (which is less toxic) cause:
Throwing up
Diarrhea (frequent, loose, watery poop)
Confusion
Abnormal heartbeat
How do doctors treat plant poisoning?
Treatment depends on what plant poisoned you.
Doctors will:
Have you drink lots of fluids
If you can't keep drinks down, give you IV fluids (into your vein)
Empty your stomach using a small tube through the nose or mouth, if needed
Give you specific treatments depending on the type of poison
Wash your skin with soap and water if a plant toxin has irritated it
