The 100th post on Nature’s Poisons! The Poisonous ABCs: From Aconitine to Zetekitoxin. Continue reading
Tag Archives: toxin
Tetrodotoxin: The Paralytic Pufferfish Poison
Take a look at this photo. Who couldn’t love this face? Really, who? Such a cute little fella. And I’m talking about the pufferfish, not the dude with the pipe. But I am thinking about taking up pipe smoking, solely because of this photo. Relax, I won’t, that nicotine will kill you. But I’ll definitely pick up one of … Continue reading
Mistletoe: Passionate Plant or Poisonous Parasite?
Ah, Christmas. The season of over-indulgence, crappy eggnog, and shooting your eye out with an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot model air rifle. I shouldn’t be so Grinchy. It’s also the season for giving. Giving a kiss under the mistletoe, that is. We’ve all heard, and perhaps witnessed or experienced, the tradition of snogging … Continue reading
The Death Cap Mushroom . . . It’s as Bad as it Sounds
A lot of things in life don’t make sense, and it seems I spend half my time trying to explain and rationalize these to my three young girls. They ask a lot of questions. A lot. Why do we park on a driveway? Why is something called a “free gift”, aren’t gifts always free? What’s … Continue reading
Urushiol: Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Season is Here
Spring is here, and that means one thing: poison ivy. Okay, that’s a bit melodramatic, as spring also kills off winter, brings my garden alive, and reminds us that summer is around the corner. But I happen to have horrid reactions to poison ivy – as well as insects. And besides passing on my genes of … Continue reading
Saxitoxin: Growing up with Red Tides
I am a product of the ’80s. I also grew up along the water in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. And during that time there were two words that caused worry and fear in children and adults alike. Red Tide. My family, excluding myself, loved eating clams and mussels. I just enjoyed harvesting … Continue reading
Teen Arrested for Selling Abrin Online
A Florida teen, 19-year-old Jesse William Korff, was arrested for allegedly selling one of the world’s most deadly poisons, abrin, to undercover federal agents. Korff used the online Black Market Reloaded (BMR) to sell the deadly poison in exchange for relatively untraceable Bitcoins and cash. The bust also revealed a pipe bomb and a methamphetamine lab. … Continue reading
What are Nature’s Poisons?
Everywhere we live, sleep, play, and breathe we are surrounded by Nature’s poisons. From poisonous plants and deadly mushrooms, to venomous snakes and anthrax toxins. Mother Nature clearly isn’t happy with us. And I can’t say I blame her. There are thousands of plants that are poisonous to humans (and animals). For instance, apple seeds … Continue reading
Nature's Poisons 