Is Alocasia toxic? A full analysis of Araceae plant toxicity

Araceae Alocasia, also known as black-leaf taro, black-leaf Alocasia, etc., is a perennial herb 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 Araceae Alocasia is toxic. Let's take a look below!

Is Araceae Alocasia toxic?

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 leads to 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, and convulsions; in severe cases, suffocation and death from cardiac paralysis. For ordinary household cultivation, it is necessary to pay attention to the toxicity of Araceae Alocasia, try to avoid growing it in households with children, and also be careful during care, making sure to prevent children and uninformed people from accidentally eating it or ingesting it 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 a large amount 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, take orally or use as a gargle.

The effects and actions of Araceae Alocasia

Araceae Alocasia can treat malarial fevers, acute vomiting and diarrhea, typhoid fever, rheumatic pain, hernia, leukorrhea with reddish or white discharge, carbuncles and swellings, atrophic rhinitis, scrofula, boils, scabies, and snake and dog bites, among other conditions.

1. To treat colds and summer heat, with headache and bodily fatigue: wrap the Alocasia root in wet paper, roast it until hot, and rub it on the forehead, along the waist and spine, on the chest and back, and at the bends of the hands and feet; this can make the whole body feel comfortable.

2. To treat leukorrhea with reddish or white discharge in women: cut Alocasia finely, stir-fry with rice, add sugar, and cook 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 Alocasia (sliced), 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 fire, and while the fire is still burning, quickly apply it to the affected area.

6. To treat carbuncles, swellings, and large sores: slice Alocasia, heat it over a flame, and apply hot; when it cools, replace it with a heated slice.

7. To treat chronic atrophic rhinitis: 100 g of Typhonii Rhizoma, 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 wine, then pound the Typhonii Rhizoma root, simmer it with the sesame oil until dried, remove the residue, and after it cools, add the musk, toad venom, borneol, and the original sesame oil and mix to make an oil preparation. When using, put it in 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, pound the Typhonii Rhizoma root, 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; it is then ready.

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

9. To treat hemorrhoids with bloody stool: cook a chicken with two jin of Alocasia for 12 hours, take the broth and drink it; the chicken may also be eaten together.

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

11. To treat sitting sores: pound Alocasia and lard together and apply to the affected area.

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

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