The nature of the Belarusian land is magnificent and beautiful, gently sung in songs, rhymed in verse and described in prose. It seems that even a home garden and a small garden are buried in greenery and bloom with all the colors of the rainbow. But, unfortunately, some of the plants that weave in parks and shade in the dachas are included in a kind of “book” called “Poisonous Plants of Belarus”.
We suffer from ignorance of the elementary rules in the world of flora
How many types of plants in Belarus can harm a person? Of the twelve thousand growing on its territory, only more than forty units are hazardous to health and can cause significant harm. Some of them, for example, strangers such as Borschevik Sosnowski (strikes with chemical burns at a distance) and Canadian Goldenrod (causes a strong allergic reaction) actively sting anyone who comes close enough to them. Others are more passive and harm only by direct contact.
When you relax in the park, alas, there is no sign that says “Caution, there are dangerous plants nearby,” and sometimes it would have to be hung. After all, the forest flora of Belarus is represented by seemingly safe and very toxic herbs, flowers and shrubs.
The most dangerous grains and fruits are the parts responsible for maintaining life and continuing the species. We bring to your attention the most dangerous poisonous plants in Belarus (description).
Beautiful, fragrant and poisonous lily of the valley in May
This sweet harbinger of the long-awaited spring, one of the first plants, symbolizing the beginning of a new life of nature, is extremely insidious. Lily of the valley contains toxins in all parts: the stem, leaves and especially berries. A flower that carries such a pleasant and heady aroma even poisons the water in the vase. The cause of death for a person can be several eaten berries of lily of the valley. Harmful substances affect the cardiovascular system and gastric tract. Symptoms of poisoning are nausea and vomiting. Possible cardiac arrest.
Dazzling buttercup
The family of buttercups has more than 600 species. And a significant part of them are poisonous. This plant with a yellow, fiery flower sprouts in marshy areas. Buttercup is popularly known as "night blindness."
Like many others, these plants of the forests of Belarus are poisonous from root to tip of the leaf, especially juice containing protoanemonin. It is characterized by a sharp taste and aroma. No wonder the yellow buttercup is called "night blindness", because protoanemonin irritates the eyes and can even cause temporary loss of vision. It provokes lacrimation, cough with suffocation, irritates the mucous membranes of the nose and larynx, causes a runny nose, and throat cramps.
Elderberry red - a poisonous component of folk recipes
Elderberry cysts, or, as people often say, red, has more toxic substances in itself compared to black. This is a universal plant, the flowers of which are treated for bronchitis, and the fruits clean the dark coating from copper utensils. But in the hands of amateurs, the poisonous plants of Belarus, whose names include the word elderberry, acquire the status of a dangerous medicinal product.
Everything in the world is relative, for example, the red frequent “guest” of alternative medicine in inept hands is turning from a panacea from ailments to poison. Ripe fruits are not harmful, but unripe berries, bark and leaves are harmful to the human body. Red elderberry venom contains a cyanogenic compound that upsets the body's metabolism. The berry causes great harm to the digestive tract. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even dizziness are symptoms of poisoning with green berries of red elderberry. To eliminate the consequences of using this poison, at least a few packs of activated carbon will be needed. And in especially severe cases - gastric lavage.
Hemlock hemlock - the enemy that is as close as possible
Poisonous plants of Belarus also have in their ranks a species called Hemlock hemlock. It has a therapeutic effect, it is a sedative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic. He was taken as the best cure for cancer, gout and rheumatism. Hemlock helps with migraines. However, he can rightfully be given the first place among the poisonous plants that grow on the territory of Belarus.
The stem, leaves, flowers and fruits are poisonous. The main active ingredient is alkaloids and konin, which in some cases causes paralysis. Rubbed in the hands of hemlock emits a disgusting mouse smell. To know him will not be any labor. Height from 30 to 60 centimeters, with white, small flowers and long petals of dark green color. This poisonous grass confidently occupied the forest glades and grows near the dwellings of people.
Bittersweet nightshade is an appetizing and very dangerous plant
The name bittersweet appeared due to the fact that at first the berry tastes sugar, and after a second it becomes unpleasant in the mouth. She is especially attracted to all those who are not familiar with her popular name - "wolf berry." Perennial shrub, height from 30 to 180 centimeters, covered with bright red, shiny small berries. In folk medicine, it is used both in the treatment of eczema and asthma, and in irregular menstruation and sexually transmitted diseases. The nightshade berries cause severe poisoning in humans, which is accompanied by pain in the stomach.
Persecuted by nausea, vomiting, and sometimes labored breathing. Poisonous plants of Belarus, photos of which are presented in the article, must be remembered. This will avoid possible troubles and protect the most curious from a deplorable mistake.
An apple is a delicious vitamin bomb with poison
The beautiful fairy tale about Snow White, a charming princess whose evil stepmother poisoned the beauty with an apple, has been known and loved since childhood, will also be appropriate in this article. The story is romantic and tender, and no one ever thought that this fruit could seriously poison a person. Brown kernels from the core contain iodine, which in modern conditions is so lacking in the body. In addition to useful, the bones have amygdalin glycoside, which in large quantities becomes poison, leading to serious diseases. But 5-7 grains per day for an adult is a useful norm. Children, on the contrary, should generally refrain from them. With the normalization of the iodine level, memory improves, headaches disappear, a person becomes attentive (these diseases and conditions are a manifestation of iodine deficiency).
There are other poisonous plants in Belarus. The list can be replenished with such harmless goodies as cherries, apricots, plums and peaches. Do not forget about these fruits with seeds, they can also have a very negative effect on health. Amygdalin is also present in the core, so it is better to first remove it when preserving the mentioned fruits.
Another name for the poison will be familiar to smokers - hydrocyanic acid. A lot is known about its harm, so you should not expose yourself to unnecessary danger. This chemical compound serves as a natural protection of the fetus and protects it from being eaten by animals.
Poisonous plants of Belarus are familiar to many from childhood. For example, the well-known and, it would seem, only healthy and tasty potatoes can also lead to poisoning. Tubers that have turned green in the sun accumulate poison in themselves, the name of which is solanine, leading to fever and even seizures. No less dangerous are the green fruits of tomatoes.
The world of plants - an exciting and wonderful world
But do not forget that the plant world is very dangerous for people who are far from the flora and do not have a minimum supply of knowledge. The poisonous plants of Belarus are fraught with great healing power. In the capable hands of a healer, a person with knowledge of traditional medicine, they are able to heal, relieve pain, suppress ailments, but at the same time they can cause irreparable harm to your health.