A man attempting to brew traditional herbal tea for his family caused a medical emergency because he mistakenly picked datura, a highly toxic wild plant, from his residential complex. This was confirmed by the health authorities in Shantou, Guangdong Province.
The wild plants Mr. Yao collected for his family's herbal tea.
The incident occurred on August 3, when local resident Mr. Yao collected wild plants to prepare traditional herbal tea for his family. Shortly after drinking it, his wife fell unconscious and was rushed to the intensive care unit (ICU), while his son suffered severe hallucinations and multiple injuries after repeated falls.
Following an immediate investigation and public health response, officials from the Shantou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified the plant as datura based on the photographs provided by the family and the patients' symptoms. All parts of datura are toxic, and the plant contains potent toxic alkaloids. It has also been used historically in China for its anesthetic properties.
Both victims are now out of danger following timely emergency treatment, though they continue to experience residual dizziness and unsteadiness while walking as they recover, Yao told reporters on August 7.
Shantou CDC officials conduct an on-site investigation and remove the toxic plants.
Datura plant (Datura stramonium).
Drinking herbal tea to "clear heat" and relieve "summer dampness" is a longstanding tradition in the Chaoshan region. However, public health experts warn that many wild plants closely resemble edible varieties, making identification based on experience alone extremely dangerous.
The Shantou CDC has issued a public warning advising residents not to forage for or consume unknown wild plants and not to rely on unverified folk remedies. Officials also cautioned against relying solely on mobile AI plant-recognition apps, noting that current AI tools remain limited and may misidentify wild plants.
Author | Dong Han
Photos | Nanfang Plus
