Not only are certain animals poisonous in our modern world, but so are some of our favorite plants.
This is the tragic story of Jelay Lapornina, a certified plantita since 2019, who had her eyes obscured due to the resin of her plant.
She stated that she was already engaged in taking care of plants before the epidemic began. But she had no idea what her beloved Dumb Cane would cause this past July.
Jelay shared,
“Binuhat ko po tapos pinutulan ko ng mga dahon na mga sira. Tapos, ci-nut ko ng gunting. Tapos ‘yung isang stem kasi sira na, kaya inano ko ng itak. Tapos pagkatapos no’n, binuhat ko, iniba ko ng posisyon ang bulaklak. Pagkatapos, may tumalsik sa mata ko. Pagtalsik niya, mahapdi na.”
After that incident, her vision gradually blurred.
She added,
“Binalewala ko lang. Tapos, mayroon pa nga sa bibig ko, dinilaan ko pa nga.Tapos ang kati ng feeling ko no’n, hindi ko na maidilat (ang mata). Pagkahiga ko, ang lalamunan ko, natuyo na. Pagkatayo ko, hindi na ako makatayo. Nahihilo na ako.”
According to a botanist, Dumb Cane is a type of plant that has toxins in the leaves and the stem. Its resin is harmful, so avoid getting it in your mouth or eyes.
Wally Suarez, a botanist, said in an interview with GMA-7,
“Primary component niyan ay iyong ‘saponin’ na kapag minix mo sa tubig ay bumubula. Para siyang sabon. Kaya siya saponin. Usually toxic yan… taken in it’s pure form, toxic.”
It also contains oxalates, which can induce tongue irritation and vomiting in humans if consumed. Although there are poisons, taking care of them is not risky.
The botanist added,
“Marami sa mga houseplants natin, actually, may poison. So kung, if they’re just sitting in a corner, ‘di mo naman kakainin yan or hindi po ipapahid sa balat mo or sa sugat mo, or accidentally ilalagay sa mukha, hindi siya delikado.”
According to Dr. Darby Cabuyao, an opthalmologist, when the eye is splashed with plant resin, perform the following:
“Hindi na dapat sabunin kaagad ‘yung mga dagta na tumalsik sa mata. Mainam din na hugasan ang mata ng malinis na tubig at siyempre, pumunta agad sa opthalmologist para maresetahan ng tamang gamot.”
Jelay’s eyes are still blurry, and she is still being treated.
That’s why the experts gave a reminder that one should be aware of other houseplants that, while containing toxins, should not be dangerous to care for.
