Poisonous plants and Allergenic compounds

    I. How physiologically active compounds from plants affect the human body on a poisonous level.

    II. Notable poisonous plants:
        A. Alkaloids
            1. Strychnine tree: strychnine (powerful nerve toxin)
            2. Poison hemlock: coniine (powerful nerve toxin)
        B. Cardioactive glycosides
            1. Milkweed: galitoxin (acute muscle spasm)
            2. Oleander: oleandroside and nerioside (cardiac acceleration)
            3. Lily of the Valley: convallotoxin (cardiac arrest)
        C. Cyanide
            1. Rose family of plants: prunasin in apple and apricot seeds (can kill grazing cattle)
            2. Cassava: cyanide  (death)
        D. Other types of toxins
            1. Mistletoe: tryamine and phoratoxin

    III. Milder discouragement: poisonous and potentially toxic
        A. Oxalic acid (crystals)
            1. Rhubarb, Dumbcane, Caladium: crystals cause damage, paralyze vocal cords, swelling of mouth and throat
        B. Saponins
            1. tomatine in green tomatoes
            2. solanine in green potatoes
            3. both cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
        C. Tannins
            1. in potato leaves, stems, roots; make unpalatable- bitter or astringent

    IV. Allergenic components
        A. Contact dermatitis: (poison ivy: urushiol oil)
        B. Food allergies:  peanuts, soybeans, oat flour, milk products etc.
        C. Respiratory allergies: pollen induced ‘hay fever’

    V. Human uses