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A tale of caution. I've been foraging for many years. On the weekend a close friend came to visit me, bringing with him a large bag of wild garlic. There were many flowers and leaves, the smell was unmistakable. I did a quick check for any lords and ladies and then blended them into a pesto. Last night I ate a pasta with the wild garlic pesto, very shortly after, I started to feel strange. The most notable effect was my vision became blurred and I experienced a strange halo effect when looking around the room. I immediately suspected poisoning and the wild garlic pesto I had just eaten. I rang 111 and after being assessed was instructed to get to A&E as quickly as possible. What I was displaying were signs of possible Lily of the valley poisoning. A blood test and an ECG later this diagnosis was confirmed, some how a rouge leaf must have found its way into my friends wild garlic collection.
After five uncomfortable hours in A&E with symptoms of nausea and a headache. I drank plenty of water and my sight returned to normal. Today I'm feeling mostly better. I consider myself very lucky that I didn't consume more Lily of the valley which can be deadly. Moral of the story, be exceptionally careful harvesting Wild garlic and make sure you know the look alike Lily of the valley.
A tale of caution. I've been foraging for many years. On the weekend a close friend came to visit me, bringing with him a large bag of wild garlic. There were many flowers and leaves, the smell was unmistakable. I did a quick check for any lords and ladies and then blended them into a pesto. Last night I ate a pasta with the wild garlic pesto, very shortly after, I started to feel strange. The most notable effect was my vision became blurred and I experienced a strange halo effect when looking around the room. I immediately suspected poisoning and the wild garlic pesto I had just eaten. I rang 111 and after being assessed was instructed to get to A&E as quickly as possible. What I was displaying were signs of possible Lily of the valley poisoning. A blood test and an ECG later this diagnosis was confirmed, some how a rouge leaf must have found its way into my friends wild garlic collection.
After five uncomfortable hours in A&E with symptoms of nausea and a headache. I drank plenty of water and my sight returned to normal. Today I'm feeling mostly better. I consider myself very lucky that I didn't consume more Lily of the valley which can be deadly. Moral of the story, be exceptionally careful harvesting Wild garlic and make sure you know the look alike Lily of the valley.