3 Plants That Can Easily Kill You When Detoxifying

Did you know that in 2016, 40% of women and 39% of men were overweight? According to World Health Organization, that percentage translated to more than 650 million adults worldwide. Since then, the numbers have grown thanks to our busy lives that demand quick-fix meals.

Once you realize the pounds have been piling on, you rush for another quick fix- a detoxification and weight loss program that will have you shedding weight in weeks. Most people turn to plants believing that nature is best, but some of the methods used can kill, as you shall find out below.

• Castor

Castor oil has numerous benefits, one of which is flushing out toxins. According to Times of India, a castor oil detox flush is so intense that it gets rid of all toxins from the body; it even flushes out abdominal parasites.

Unfortunately, most people do not get the right information regarding the proper use of castor seeds for detoxification. In one Facebook group, a lady said she almost died after consuming castor seeds. She had to be admitted to the hospital for treatment.

While castor oil is a great detoxifying agent, castor seeds without the hull are effective in birth control and constipation. The key thing to note here is that castor seeds must be chewed without the hull. The hull contains ricin which is toxic and can be deadly depending on the amount consumed.

Ricin can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, severe chemical and fluid imbalance, organ damage, shock, and death. Truth be told, chewing one castor seed without removing the hull can kill an adult but swallowing it whole reduces the likelihood of poisoning. However, you will still need medical attention.

• Neem

My aunt did not like aging; when I gave birth to my daughter, she did not want to be introduced as a grandmother. The need to stay healthy and maintain a youthful body led to her drinking neem juice. After all, in her research as an advocate for healthy living, she had discovered that neem juice cleanses the blood, manages blood sugar levels, boosts immunity, and aids digestion.

At first, all was well until she started complaining that her periods were too heavy. My mother, a nutritionist, advised her against taking neem juice, but my aunt disregarded the advice. In less than a month, she was admitted to the hospital with excessive nose bleeding and menstruation; not even blood donations could save her, so we lost her.

You might be wondering what neem has to do with her death. Well, Discover Neem enlightens us that neem contains aspirin, which thins the blood. Hence, it is effective for treating blood clots. When the blood is too thin, it results in excessive bleeding through heavier-than-usual menstruation and nosebleeds. Severe blood loss leads to anemia and cardiac dysfunction.

• Aloe Vera

Another plant we often rush to for beauty and health benefits is aloe vera. The thick succulent leaves contain gel and latex that can be applied topically on hair and skin or consumed as juice.

You should, however, be able to differentiate between aloe gel and latex since the latter can be fatal. While the gel is colorless, latex is yellow and is found between the inner rind and the gel. Aloe vera gel can be used in different recipes including, smoothies, and the plant’s skin is also safe to consume.

You should also note that there are many aloe species, and some are poisonous. Some plants even look like aloe vera, and one Chinese vlogger proved how easy it is to be mistaken. While filming a video, the vlogger ate Agave americana, a toxic plant that causes swelling and burns in the throat. Luckily, she got to the hospital in time.

So, before you embark on your detoxification journey, it is always best to consult a physician and do your research to avoid being hospitalized, or in the worst-case scenario, death.