Lethaltoxic herbs in Croatian flora

Abstract

Razlikovati ljekovitost i neljekovitost, odnosno otrovnost neke biljke nije nimalo jednostavno. Koliko puta naiđemo na biljku lijepe boje i ugodna mirisa, zaboravljajući da u ruci možda držimo lijek, a možda otrov. Vrlo je mala razlika između lijeka i otrova i ta granica, koja se ne smije prijeći je vrlo tanka. Upravo zato i postoji slavna farmaceutska izreka: „Samo doza čini otrov“( „Sola dosis facit venenum“ ). Veza između doze i efekta koji ona uzrokuje na organzimu je najvažnija u toksikologiji. Glavni kriterij otrovnosti je upravo doza, i pod pravim uvjetima svaka je supstanca otrovna. U ovom radu opisano je 9 najotrovnijih biljaka hrvatske flore.To distinguish curative properties from non curative properties or toxicity is not simple at all. A lot of times we come across a colourful and aromatic plant, forgetting that we might hold in our hand cure or poison. There is a very small difference between cure and poison and we must not cross this line. That is why exist famous pharmaceutical phrase: „The dose makes the poison“ („Sola dosis facit venenum“). Connection between dose and the effect which is expressed in the organism is the most important thing in toxicology. The main criterion of toxicity is dose, and under right conditions every substance can be toxic. The nine most poisonous plant species of Croatian flora were described in this report