In a shocking incident in Xinyi, Maoming, a couple narrowly escaped death after consuming soup made from a toxic plant they mistakenly identified as an edible ingredient. The couple, both in their fifties, prepared a soup using the roots of what they believed was "Wuzhi Maotao" (五指毛桃), only to realize too late that they had actually used Gelsemium elegans, commonly known as heartbreak grass, a poisonous plant of the family Gelsemiaceae found in China and other Asian countries.
Just ten minutes after enjoying their meal, Mr. Luo and Mrs. He (assumed name) began experiencing severe dizziness and weakness. Recognizing the symptoms of potential food poisoning, they quickly called relatives and friends for assistance and were rushed to the Sihe Town Health Center.
Upon arrival, Mr. Luo was struggling to breathe, disoriented, and unable to walk, while Mrs. He exhibited less severe symptoms. Dr. Yang Jianbang, the deputy director and attending physician at the health center, suspected acute poisoning from heartbreak grass and activated the emergency response. He administered high-flow oxygen, established intravenous access, and began preparations for gastric lavage while coordinating with a larger hospital, Western Guangdong Hospital of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, for further support.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
The distance from Western Guangdong Hospital to the town health center is more than 100 kilometers. The emergency teams swiftly dispatched two ambulances equipped with respirators. While en route, Mr. Luo's condition deteriorated; he lost consciousness and his heart stopped. Doctors provided immediate guidance via phone, directing medical staff in CPR and intubation techniques. Tragically, Mrs. He soon experienced similar life-threatening symptoms, necessitating urgent resuscitation efforts.
Within two hours of consuming the toxic soup, the medical team arrived, transitioning both patients to a respiratory machine and stabilizing them before transferring them to the ICU at Western Guangdong Hospital. Despite their critical conditions, including pneumonia and multiple organ failure, the dedicated ICU staff worked tirelessly, implementing advanced treatment measures such as Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) and aggressive anti-infection treatment.
After several days of intensive care, Mrs. He was moved to a general ward three days later, followed by Mr. Luo five days after that. Testing on the soup revealed the presence of heartbreak grass, confirming the couple's poisoning was accidental.
While both have since recovered, they urge the public to refrain from consuming unverified wild plants, highlighting the dangers associated with misidentification.
In 2023, three cases of Gelsemium elegans poisoning have been reported in Guangdong Province, resulting in eight cases of poisoning, including three deaths. Research indicates that between 1965 and 2020, there were 29 recorded poisoning events in Guangdong alone, leading to 231 cases and 48 fatalities, underscoring the significant risks associated with this toxic plant.
Medical experts advise caution when foraging for wild ingredients and recommend that anyone experiencing symptoms of poisoning seek immediate medical attention. They stress the importance of identifying safe food sources to prevent future tragedies.
Author | Hannah
Editor | Nan, Monica, James
