Wild garlic confusion would be deadly

Wild garlic: confusion can be fatal

03/16/2015

The spring-like temperatures draw many people back into the forest to collect wild wild garlic leaves. The consumer protection ministry in Baden-Württemberg is now warning collectors to exercise caution. The leaves could be easily confused with those of the highly poisonous autumnal times and the lily-of-the-valley.

Confusion can be fatal
Whether in sauces, dips, as a spice or as a pesto: wild garlic is extremely tasty and tastes similar to garlic or chives. The green-leaved herb with the small, white flowers grows again at mild spring temperatures throughout the forest. Caution should be exercised when collecting, as the plant can easily be mistaken for the highly poisonous fall-time lilies and lilies of the valley. As the Baden-Württemberg Consumer Protection Ministry announced on Sunday in Stuttgart, "the confusion can end fatally".

Different distinguishing features
Autumn lilies and lilies of the valley grow at the same time and in similar places as wild garlic and like wild garlic also the lily of the valley has green leaves and the well-known white ones, „bell“-shaped flowers. "An important differentiator is the stems". For example, each wild garlic leaf grows on a single stem, usually many grow next to each other and form groups. On the other hand, lilies of the valley have always two leaves on a stalk and the autumnal timers a single comprehensive leaf. In addition, an odor test can help to detect the difference. For example, the leaves of wild garlic smell like garlic if they are rubbed between the fingers but not the other two plants.

Life-threatening poisonings possible
The Ministry strongly advises to keep your hands off the plants when in doubt. Ingredients of the doppelganger can cause poisoning that is potentially life-threatening after consumption. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea and vomiting, cramps, cardiovascular complaints and blood in the stool. These symptoms can occur two to six hours after eating. In such cases, it is advised to consult a doctor as soon as possible or to inform an emergency doctor.

Wild garlic is healthy
In the past, it was also pointed out that wild garlic, even if it is unequivocally recognized, should not be consumed without hesitation, as the wild garlic leaves of the small fox tapeworm could stick to it. These could be killed at cooking temperatures of 60 degrees Celsius, but it does not help to wash or freeze the wild garlic only. Despite all warnings should not be waived on wild garlic, because the plant is basically very healthy. The wild vegetables are used in naturopathy, for example, in complaints such as asthma, fever, bronchitis or hypertension. Wild garlic contains important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, iron and sulfur and, like garlic, has a slightly vasodilating property, cleanses the blood and develops an antibiotic effect after eating. (Ad)