Throughout history, various plants have been banned or faced restrictions for reasons ranging from concerns about toxicity to cultural or political factors. Many plants that have medicinal uses are also poisonous and can be deadly or cause great harm. While many of these plants and the substances they contain are vitally important for modern medicine, they should be used with care and prepared by professionals. In many cases, the important substances can be synthesized in labs instead of farmed. Here are some examples of plants that are banned in some locations or faced restrictions in the past:
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa)
One of the most obvious banned herbal plants is cannabis. Cannabis has a long history of medicinal and recreational use, but it has been banned in many countries during the 20th century due to concerns about its psychoactive effects. In recent years, there has been a trend toward the legalization or decriminalization of cannabis in some regions for medical or recreational use, as well as an increase in the testing and medical uses of the plant.
Today, in many states and countries you can purchase cannabis legally in local shops or online through websites such as Quiet Monk CBD.com. It is being successfully used to help treat ailments such as epilepsy, chronic pain, nausea brought on by chemotherapy, neuropathy, and many more.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
Pennyroyal has been historically used in herbal medicine, but due to its potential toxicity, particularly in large amounts, it faced restrictions in some places. It has been used to treat respiratory illnesses like the common cold, as well as stranger uses like insect repellent, antiseptic, and even as an abortifacient. The plant is dangerous and should not be used for these purposes, especially when prepared by inexperienced herbalists.
Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
The opium poppy is the source of opium, which contains compounds like morphine and codeine with potent analgesic properties. Due to the potential for abuse and addiction, opium and its derivatives have been heavily regulated in many countries. Unfortunately, opium poppies are beautiful but cannot be grown ornamentally. Other poppies are still popular as ornamental flowers and opium is still grown in large quantities in some areas for illegal import into restricted countries.
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Sassafras was once a popular flavoring agent in foods and beverages, but it was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1960s due to concerns about its main component, safrole, being a potential carcinogen. Safrole has since been banned as a food additive. While the plant was banned as a food additive, the sassafrass is a native tree and the plant itself isn’t regulated. The original flavoring for root beer was derived from the roots of sassafras trees and the flavor was found in a popular drink called sarsaparilla.
Strychnine-containing plants (Strychnos nux-vomica)
Strychnine, a highly toxic alkaloid, is found in the seeds of the strychnine tree (Strychnos nux-vomica). It has been used historically as a poison and faced restrictions due to its deadly effects. However, it has also been historically used as an herbal remedy, especially in traditional Chinese medicine, for problems such as arthritis and vomiting. The fruit can be edible if prepared carefully. The alkaloid itself is highly regulated and generally banned.
Strychnine can also be found in other plants such as St. Ignatius’s bean. Like many toxic plants, these are sometimes used medicinally but must be prepared and used carefully and only by experts and scientists.
Mormon Tea (Ephedra nevadensis)
“Mormon tea” typically refers to plants of the Ephedra genus, and one of the more well-known species is Ephedra nevadensis. The plant known as Mormon tea in the desert southwest was used by Native Americans and others, including Mormons, to make medicinal tea. These plants contain ephedrine, a stimulant that can have potentially harmful effects on the cardiovascular system. While not uniformly banned, Ephedra-containing products faced restrictions in the United States due to concerns about the compound ephedrine. In 2004, the U.S. FDA banned the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids.
Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, contains alkaloids such as atropine that can be toxic in high doses. It has a history of use in traditional medicine but has faced restrictions due to its potential dangers. This plant is a member of the nightshade family which includes tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. However, most members of the family are toxic and even the edible members have poisonous parts, such as leaves and stems. Belladonna was historically used for several ailments and today, certain compounds of the plant are used in commercial drugs. However, the plant is so toxic that it only takes a small amount to cause hallucinations, paralysis, and death in adults.
Conclusion
It’s important to consider the context and reasons behind historical bans, as some may have been based on legitimate health concerns, while others may have been influenced by cultural, political, or economic factors. Additionally, the legal status of these plants may have changed over time in different regions. It’s interesting to learn what plants have been feared and revered over the years and what compounds are found in these plants. Many of the dangerous chemicals found in toxic plants are important in medications and help us develop new treatments.