Plants contain phytochemicals, many of which play an important role in the growth and development of the host plant. Many phytochemicals are beneficial to the health, and some examples of these include flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, sterols and carotenoids. Eating a high plant diet has been shown to cause significant health improvements. However, plants can also produce phytochemicals that have detrimental health effects, and this often makes part or all of the plant poisonous. Poisonous plants are often poisonous because they contain alkaloids that interfere with cellular metabolism. For example, the foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea) contains the alkaloid digitalis that can have toxic effects in humans and animals. Hemlock (Conium maculatum) contains the poisonous alkaloid coniine. Laurel contains cyanolipids, and upon chewing these can form cyanide and benzaldehyde, both of which are poisonous. Therefore care must always be taken when collecting and consuming wild plants.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
