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“The grass once symbolized the end of summer work, when the older women of the family, freed from their usual routine, dove into the ironwork. The medicinal plants collected on the way to the church, stacked and consecrated on the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary, had a special power in the healing of both man and animal. At that time, people knew more about plants because they lived closer to nature, where now we only appear as guests.
I recently had a case to prove this when an elderly woman came to the pharmacy complaining of blisters on her hands, redness and burning. When asked if he just didn’t care about the garden, he vehemently denied it. But later he still remembered weeding the flowers in his nursery, and it turned out that there were furrows that became even more aggressive to the person from the heat. The mentioned patient even needed the help of a doctor, ”says Kęstutis Beržinis, a pharmacist at Gintarinės vaistinė.
The basic rule is not to touch anything that you do not know
When it comes to collecting mushrooms, we have already realized that we only put known species in the basket. The same should be done when preparing to harvest the plant. The pharmacist cautions that before approaching the plant, I must ask myself if I know it, why I need it, and how I promise to use it, the press release says. Also, various berries are ripe in the forest. That is why parents who go for a walk in nature with their children must be very careful, because the perception of the world of the offspring usually takes place through tasting.
“Desolate, mugwort, karklavia, white root, dicot honey, lily of the valley, yarrow, colder common honeysuckle, even completely immature black elderberries should not be touched or tasted. It is important to teach this to children, as well as observe them up close, so that walking in nature does not become a disaster. As my children were growing up, I was more afraid of the yew that grew in the garden, especially its beautiful cones. After all, you will not explain to the baby that the part The soft fruit of the pineapple is edible, but the seed and the whole tree are extremely poisonous ”, K. Beržinis shares his experience.
However, the pharmacist says that plant poisoning is not a very common case in Lithuania. So that this trend does not change substantially, it is enough to learn what is the stained toilet, the poisonous sedge and the Sosnovsky borscht, one of the most poisonous plants in the country. This is sufficient to consider that the basic science of dangerous plants has been learned.
“If we have the slightest doubt about the suitability of the plant or its parts, let’s not touch it, let’s not touch it, just pat it on the eye and enjoy its beauty. And if we collect herbs, it means that we come to the meadows with a purpose and we really know what we are looking for, unless we have collected the herbs after having hugged them to separate the other plants in the pile. However, if we don’t know exactly how herbs work and how to recognize them, I wouldn’t recommend experimenting. I would also suggest not to self-medicate and it is better to go to a specialist than to seek treatment in the field ”, advises K. Beržinis.
According to him, there are also plants that do not seriously harm health, but cause inconvenience. One of them is St. John’s wort. Its juice can react with the sun and “give away” pigment spots on the skin. Therefore, in case of accidental splashes of St. John’s wort juice, the pharmacist recommends filling those areas with water.
And what to do after touching or eating?
Some plants are very poisonous, others a little less, but they can still cause health problems such as damage to the skin, mucous membranes, irritate the intestines or cause allergies, headaches.
“The effects of each poisonous plant are different and depend on its species, so there is no single set of symptoms that is suitable for all cases. The following sensations may indicate that you have been poisoned: burning lip pain, swelling of the lining of the mouth and tongue, vision problems, dilated pupils, reddened skin, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, diarrhea. In the most severe cases, psychosis, hallucinations or incoordination can occur, ”says the Amber Pharmacy pharmacist.
According to him, first aid for a plant dangerous to health is extremely significant. If a person has touched a poisonous plant, it is necessary for them to leave the plant as soon as possible and wash the damaged area with cold water. If a person were to taste such a plant, the swelling and itching of the oral mucosa would be slightly reduced by holding a piece of ice in the mouth or drinking cold water.
“After poisoning, it is critical not to delay too long and seek medical attention, especially if you begin to suffocate or swell severely. For example, a person dies within an hour from the stained toilet mentioned above. It is also a good idea to take part or the poisonous plant with you when you go to the doctor so that specialists can provide more effective help. I would suggest not taking any medication without a prescription ”, says K. Beržinis and advises to contact the Center for Information and Poison Control as soon as possible, who will advise you on what to do in a specific case.
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