Would You Like A Side of Poison With That?

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Hello Poison Friends! We need to discuss some poisons found in the garden! My goal was to go into the poisons that can be found in the vegetable garden as well as in the flower garden, but I have to make it two parts because I somehow never realize how long I can talk about stuff! Also, Adam has capped my research at 5,000 words per episode as I struggle with stopping anything. Therefore, we are discussing some poisons that can be found in the vegetable gardens around the world. Rhubarb leaves, solanine in potatoes (at least those not stored properly), Cassava, ginkgo biloba seeds, cashews, and more.

We have some fun (and some more tragic) stories behind each of these as well as the history and folklore of their growth and use. For instance, we need to talk about that time in WWI when the British government encouraged their citizens to eat rhubarb leaves while food was scarce or why it is not okay to munch on houseplants (I hope we all knew that one, but hey, make sure they are out of reach of children or pets if toxic).

How about the guy who worked hard to make the potato popular in France? Did you know potatoes were actually once banned there because it was believed they could cause leprosy or plague? Well, obviously they do not, but when green they can make you very sick.

Cassava! It is a staple crop in parts of South America and in Africa, but when not processed correctly, it can be deadly as they contain cyanogenic glycosides. So how do so many people eat it? And have there been any recent cases of poisoning from cassava? Unfortunately, yes.

Have you ever seen a cashew tree or its fruit? A story from the Philippines gives a fun explanation for why it looks the way it does. Also, before being processed for eating, they are also poisonous, covered with the same substance that causes the itchy reaction when you touch poison ivy.

How about a story concerning the six Gingko trees that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and how their seeds can still cause accidental poisonings today. Also, that Ginkgo leaf extract some people are taking? According to some recent studies, it may not even be helpful. Let’s talk about it!

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