Foods you SHOULD NOT EAT in the WILDERNESS - Survival Skills

Summary

This video script explores the perils of consuming certain items in the wild, emphasizing the importance of survival knowledge. It cautions against eating mushrooms due to the risk of poisoning, warns about the severe skin irritant poison ivy, and advises against consuming toxic plants like horse nettle fruit and rhododendron. It also highlights the danger of ingesting water from stagnant sources due to disease-carrying insects. The script serves as a guide for those venturing into the wilderness, offering a mix of practical advice and cautionary tales.

Takeaways

• 🍄 Mushrooms in the wild can be highly deceptive, with many poisonous varieties that closely resemble edible ones.
• 🌿 Poison Ivy is not only dangerous to touch but also extremely harmful if ingested, causing severe allergic reactions.
• 🍅 Horse Nuttall fruit, resembling cherry tomatoes, can cause severe abdominal pain and breathing difficulties if eaten.
• 🌺 Rhododendron, despite its beauty, is highly toxic with all parts of the plant being dangerous to both humans and animals.
• 🐠 Lionfish, though advocated for consumption by NOAA, still contains toxins that can cause ciguatera food poisoning.
• 🌲 Holly plants, common in Christmas decorations, have berries that can cause nausea, diarrhea, and even death.
• 🦇 Bats, while a source of protein in some cultures, carry numerous viruses and pose a significant health risk if consumed.
• 🌸 Foxgloves, despite their beauty, are highly poisonous and can affect heart rate if ingested.
• 🌿 Hemlock, infamous for the death of Socrates, is extremely toxic and can cause death if mistaken for edible plants.
• 💧 Even water can be dangerous in the wild, as stagnant or slow-moving water sources can harbor disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes.

Q & A

What are some of the potential dangers of eating mushrooms found in the wild?

Many mushrooms in the wild are poisonous and can be easily mistaken for edible varieties. Even if some mushrooms are edible, it's safer to avoid them unless you are an expert, as consuming the wrong type can lead to severe illness or death.

Why should one avoid consuming poison ivy when stranded in the wild?

Poison ivy contains an oil called urushiol, which causes a severe skin irritant. Contact with it can result in a blistering rash, and if ingested, it can lead to a rash inside the mouth, throat, and intestinal lining, along with nausea, vomiting, fever, and potentially death.

What is the risk associated with eating horsenettle fruit while lost in the wild?

Horsenettle fruit can cause abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, and other severe symptoms if consumed. It's important to avoid eating it off a bush while hiking, as it closely resembles edible cherry tomatoes.

Why are rhododendrons dangerous to consume, despite their beautiful appearance?

All parts of the rhododendron plant are toxic. Ingesting any part can lead to stomach irritation, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rate, coma, and even death. They are also harmful to other animals, earning nicknames like 'lamb kill' or 'calf kill.'

What is the issue with consuming lionfish, even if they are recommended as a way to control their population?

Lionfish contain high levels of toxins that can cause ciguatera, a type of fish-based food poisoning. Despite the NOAA's recommendation to eat them to control their population, the FDA found that over 25% of tested lionfish had unsafe levels of toxins.

How can holly plants pose a threat if consumed in the wild?

Holly berries are poisonous and can cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and even death. While some varieties of holly leaves have been used for medicinal purposes, experts recommend avoiding ingesting them due to the risks involved.

What health risks are associated with eating bat meat in a survival situation?

Bats are known to host a variety of viruses, including those that may cause diseases like Ebola. The risk is not from the meat itself but from being bitten or scratched by the bat or from contact with bodily fluids during preparation.

What makes foxgloves particularly dangerous if consumed while stranded in the wild?

Foxgloves contain components that can cause mouth pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, and can significantly affect heart rate. These effects can be life-threatening, making them a dangerous plant to consume.

Why is hemlock one of the most dangerous plants to consume in the wild?

Hemlock contains a toxic alkaloid called coniine, which can cause poisoning with symptoms like vomiting, weakness, trembling, and can lead to coma and nervous system depression. It's known for being the cause of death for the Greek philosopher Socrates.

Why is water, despite being essential, considered the most dangerous 'thing' to consume in the wild?

Stagnant or slow-flowing water can be a breeding ground for insects, including mosquitoes that transmit diseases like malaria, dengue, and West Nile virus. Consuming such water can lead to severe illnesses, making it crucial to find a more reliable source like a running stream.