Is the Alocasia (Araceae) plant actually toxic?

The Araceae Alocasia, also known as black-leaf taro, black-leaf Alocasia, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant native to tropical Asia. It prefers a warm, humid, semi-shaded growing environment and must never be exposed to strong direct sunlight. It is one of the popular foliage plants both at home and abroad, but the Araceae Alocasia is toxic. Let's take a look below!

Is the Araceae Alocasia toxic?

The Araceae Alocasia is toxic. The entire Araceae Alocasia plant is toxic, with the stem being the most toxic. Skin contact with the sap causes itching, and contact of the eyes with the sap causes blindness. Accidental ingestion of the stem or leaves causes itching and swelling of the tongue and throat, drooling, burning pain in the stomach and intestines, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, convulsions, and in severe cases suffocation and death from cardiac paralysis. For ordinary household cultivation, it is necessary to note the toxicity of the Araceae Alocasia, try to avoid growing it in households with children, and also pay attention during care, making sure to prevent children and uninformed people from accidentally ingesting it or taking it in through other channels.

First aid methods for Araceae Alocasia poisoning

1. For skin poisoning, wash with acetic acid or vinegar.

2. For poisoning from accidental ingestion, take egg white or flour paste, drink large amounts of sugar water, or receive an intravenous drip of glucose saline.

3. For abdominal pain, morphine may be injected.

4. For convulsions, inject a sedative, then take potassium bromide or inhale ether.

5. Folk remedy: boil a small amount of ginger juice together with vinegar, and take it orally or use it as a gargle.

Efficacy and effects of the Araceae Alocasia

The Araceae Alocasia can treat malarial fevers, acute vomiting and diarrhea, typhoid fever, rheumatic pain, hernia, abnormal vaginal discharge, carbuncles and toxic swellings, atrophic rhinitis, scrofula, boils, scabies, and snake and dog bites, among other conditions.

1. To treat summerheat cold, headache and bodily fatigue: wrap the Alocasia root in damp paper, roast it hot, then rub it on the forehead, lower back and spine, the front and back of the chest, and the crooks of the hands and feet; this can make the whole body feel comfortable.

2. To treat abnormal vaginal discharge in women: cut the Alocasia finely, stir-fry with rice, add sugar and boil to eat.

3. To treat wind-heat headache: apply sliced Alocasia shoots to the affected area.

4. To treat typhoid fever: take four liang of sliced Alocasia, add one liang of rice and two rusty iron nails, stir-fry until yellow, add an appropriate amount of water, decoct and take.

5. To treat rheumatic bone pain: take one thick slice of Alocasia. First place a little camphor in the center of the taro slice, heat the camphor over a fire, and while the fire has not yet gone out, quickly apply it to the affected area.

6. To treat carbuncles, toxic swellings and large sores: slice the Alocasia, heat it over a flame and apply hot; when it cools, exchange it for a hot one.

7. To treat chronic atrophic rhinitis: 100 g of Alocasia gigantea, 1.5 g of toad venom, 1 g of musk, 2 g of borneol, and an appropriate amount of sesame oil. First dissolve the toad venom in yellow rice wine, then mash the Alocasia gigantea root, boil it with the sesame oil until dry, remove the residue, and after it cools, add the musk, toad venom, borneol and the original sesame oil and mix to form an oil preparation. When using, put it into a dropper and drip into the nose. In addition, the method for preparing an ointment: according to the medicinal amounts in the above prescription, dissolve the toad venom in wine, mash the Alocasia gigantea and squeeze out the juice, remove the residue, then add the toad venom, musk, borneol and an appropriate amount of glycerin, and mix into a paste, and it is done.

8. To treat colic with abdominal pain: four liang of Alocasia (stir-fried until yellow), two liang of broom leaf (Baeckea frutescens) (stir-fried until yellow). First decoct the Alocasia, then add the broom leaf while the liquid is boiling and decoct for a moment, remove the residue and take warm. Avoid drinking rice water.

9. To treat hemorrhoids with bloody stool: cook a chicken with two jin of Alocasia for twelve hours, take the broth and drink it; the chicken may also be eaten as well.

10. To treat back carbuncle: mash Alocasia with distillers' grains and apply to the affected area (do not use if it has already ulcerated).

11. To treat bedsores: mash Alocasia and lard together and apply to the affected area.

12. To treat venomous snake and centipede bites: two liang of Alocasia, one liang of fresh Phyllanthus emblica bark, mash the medicine with salt water, wrap it in damp paper or leaves, heat it, and apply to the affected area.

13. To treat rabies: four liang of Alocasia, decoct in water as dumplings. Some also add pork and boil it together, taking it continuously for half a month; some also mash Alocasia and apply it to the wound.