Poisonous Plants Archives - Page 2 of 2

Indian Hemp: Poison, Medicinal & Other Uses

September 10, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Indian Hemp, Apocynum cannabinum, is a poisonous plant with a few medicinal properties but its other uses can be worth the plants weight in gold in a survival situation. Medicinally it has been used to cause vomiting, expel parasites, as birth control and to treat venereal disease. Because of the strength of its fibers this plant has been an essential tool for American Indians to make rope, cordage, clothing, baskets, containers, mats, rugs, bedding, bowstrings, nets, snares and horse bridles.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Indian Hemp Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 1. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 225-228

Foster, Steven and James A. Duke. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America. 2nd. ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000. Print. pg. 60-61

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 38

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 198

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 78-79

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 250-251

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 48-49

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Bittersweet Nightshade: Poison & Medicinal

July 20, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Bittersweet Nightshade, Solanum dulcamara, is another beautiful yet deadly vine that can grown in your garden and backyard but it still has some good uses.

Bittersweet Nightshade Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Culpeper, M.D., Nicholas. Culpeper Color Herbal. Ed. David Potterton. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1983. Print. pg. 30

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 202

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 535-535

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 328-329

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 50, 134, 198

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Web.

Horse Nettle: Poison, Medicinal & Other Uses

July 20, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Horse Nettle, Solanum carolinense, here is a common plant that can be found in your garden but beware the tomato-like berries are poisonous.

Horse Nettle Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1799-1801

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 46

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 534

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 216-217

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Birdsfoot Trefoil: Poison, Edible, Medicinal & Other Uses

June 17, 2015 by Mike 4 Comments

Birdsfoot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, is a member of the Pea Family and has been considered both edible and medicinal but be aware that all parts of this plant are poisonous. The seeds can be nibbled and it has been used medicinally as a antispasmodic, sedative, to remove gas and reduce fever.

Birdsfoot Trefoil Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 66-67

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Web.

Poison Hemlock: Poison & Medicinal

May 29, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Poison Hemlock , Conium maculatum, is an extremely deadly plant to know and avoid. Socrates and many other condemned prisoners of ancient Greece can attest to this.

(Correction) Conium maculatum causes salivation not thirst or dryness of the throat. Here are the symptoms according to US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. The general symptoms of hemlock poisoning are effects on nervous system (stimulation followed by paralysis of motor nerve endings and CNS stimulation and later depression), vomiting, trembling, problems in movement, slow and weak later rapid pulse, rapid respiration, salivation, urination, nausea, convulsions, coma and death.

Poison Hemlock Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Culpeper, M.D., Nicholas. Culpeper Color Herbal. Ed. David Potterton. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1983. Print. pg. 94

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 173

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 220-221

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 38-39

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Web.

Poison Ivy: Poison, Medicinal & Other Uses

March 16, 2015 by Mike 2 Comments

Poison Ivy, Toxicodendron radicans or Rhus radicans, is the vine everyone needs to know so they can avoid! It is known world wide for its toxic oil, urushiol, that can give you a nasty rash whether you directly touch it or not, the oil can last on any surface up to five years.

Poison Ivy Sources:

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1666-1675

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 41

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 54, 111, 128, 172, 189, 191-192, 219

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 564

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 330-331

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 182-183

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Virgin’s Bower: Poison, Medicine & Other Uses

March 13, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Virgin’s Bower, Clematis virginiana, a three leaved vine that can be misidentified for poison ivy and like its look-a-like it’s dangerous to eat. It has been used medicinally for backache, stomach and kidney trouble and to treat venereal disease. Clematis has also been used for fire starting. The feathery haired seeds called Old Man’s Beard is great kindling and can be used in place of a birds nest. The wood has also been used as a fire board for friction fires.

Virgin’s Bower Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 1. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 561-563

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 60

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg.120

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 169

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 170-171

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Swamp Buttercup: Poison & Medicinal

March 6, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Swamp Buttercup, Ranunculus septentrionalis or hispidus, is a member of the Buttercup Family. This plant of spring is poisonous and can irritate your intestines, mucous membrane and cause skin blisters. The Iroquois used it to remove teeth.

Swamp Buttercup Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 124

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 468

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 242-243

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Mayapple: Poison, Edible, Medicinal & Other Uses

February 6, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum, is a plant that can both help and hurt you. The fruit is only edible when ripe otherwise it can rip your stomach to pieces. Most of the plant is considered poisonous with a few reported cases of fatalities. Medicinally, it has been used to expel worms, as a purgative meaning strong laxative, for rheumatism, as an emetic and finally it was used as an insecticide.

Mayapple Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Culpeper, M.D., Nicholas. Culpeper Color Herbal. Ed. David Potterton. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1983. Print. pg. 119

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1528-1532

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 44

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 93, 126-127

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 420

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 354-355

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 20-21

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.