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The big , spiky , threatening Agave americana grows naturally in desert mount found in New Mexico and Arizona . minuscule varieties exist for economic consumption as houseplant .
In addition to being a very attractive desert plant , it has also been very utile throughout history .
Photo Credit: Instagram @agave_ed
Its fibers have been used traditionally to make a all-inclusive mixture of fabric .
The essence of Agave americana is an authoritative food source when prepared by poke fun .
Several types of drinkable are made from the sap ( admit tequila and pulque ) when it is properly prepared .
And if you are so inclined , use the tomfool in its perfect manikin to poison your pointer .
Just be careful not to poison yourself when you do !
Stabbed By Agave Plant? What Parts Of Agave Are Poisonous or Toxic?
It is safest to bear all persona of the Agave foliage are toxic – leaves and blossom stalk .
The only part of the Agave plant which is not toxic without preparation is the blossom .
bloom eat on raw are said to be quite tasty .
All other parts of the plant life must be carefully handled , reap , and groom if they are to be eaten or otherwise used .
With this state , when right prepared , most parts of the plant are edible and good , but you must know precisely what you are doing .
What Are The Symptoms Of Poisoning?
liaison with the sap of Blue Agave may cause burning at the stake , pain , swelling , and rash . A more common symptom of photo to agave plants is skin irritation , itching , or dermatitis .
The second you are exposed to any species of Agave sap , your skin will commence to blister from the toxic compounds , and thereafter , the areas having been exposed may be raw to sun pic .
The chief localization for this irritating dermatitis is on the forearm and neck of the still workers and the abdomen of those in the plantation study .
If you accidentally take the raw sap of the Agave , you may suffer liver and kidney damage and even destruction .
The sharp point of an agave folio well get through the skin and immediately releases the irritant that cause sudden bother and long - lasting tenderness .
In a recentincident , a Chinese vlogger mistook an Agave mintage for aloe vera and consumed a few bites crude in a video .
She immediately became ill and had to be rushed to the hospital to have her belly pumped and undergo intervention for liver damage .
It ’s also authoritative to note you do n’t of necessity have to have contact with the sap to experience severe consequences from an face-off with an Agave .
The plant ’s thorns and the edges of the leave-taking are quite sharp and threatening and can inflict serious hurt on their own . The plant has no fragrance at all , neither the leaves nor the blooms .
In addition to physical psychic trauma , you may also experience a spartan allergic reaction if you are stabbed by an Agave .
Puncture injury due to Agaves have been known to swell up up rapidly and bring on lightheadedness .
The compound cause these serious reaction is anticipate calcium oxalate crystal raphides , which consist of extraordinarily small ( microscopic ) sharp shard of crystalline oxalate , which can have a gravid deal of pain in your skin .
Very irritate oil ( saponins ) contained in the sap cause even more burning sensation .
How To Protect Yourself While Handling The Agave
The fact Agave is such a valuable plant for bring forth a wide variety of utile product attests to the possibility of do by it safely .
When moving and planting agaves , try out stand by wine-coloured bottle cork on the spiny leaf tips to prevent accidental injury .
Also , wear lowering gardening gloves , retentive arm , and eye tribute when planting them to protect your skin and eye .
If you have an Agave in your G or garden , it ’s possible to care for it without harming yourself .
