On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 09:35:53 +0000, sarah > wrote:
>
>Speaking (as it were) of parsnips, does anyone else find that one or two
>of them seem to leave the mouth/tongue/lips slightly numb? I know it's
>in the same family as some rather nasty plants; I just wondered if some
>roots contain a higher concentration of something. Or perhaps it's my
>first food allergy!

I can't say I've experienced any numbness but parsnips do contain toxins
(as lots of veg does), which can cause skin irritation when exposed to
sunlight and possibly upset stomach.

They tend to be in the damaged areas so if you peel the parsnip well and
thoroughly cut out any bruises (if you don't already) it might help.

Frink

--
Doctor J. Frink : 'Rampant Ribald Ringtail'
See his mind here : http://www.cmp.liv.ac.uk/frink/
Annoy his mind here : pjf at cmp dot liv dot ack dot ook
"No sir, I didn't like it!" - Mr Horse

Doctor J. Frink > wrote:

> On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 09:35:53 +0000, sarah > wrote:
> >
> >Speaking (as it were) of parsnips, does anyone else find that one or two
> >of them seem to leave the mouth/tongue/lips slightly numb? I know it's
> >in the same family as some rather nasty plants; I just wondered if some
> >roots contain a higher concentration of something. Or perhaps it's my
> >first food allergy!
>
> I can't say I've experienced any numbness but parsnips do contain toxins
> (as lots of veg does), which can cause skin irritation when exposed to
> sunlight and possibly upset stomach.
>
> They tend to be in the damaged areas so if you peel the parsnip well and
> thoroughly cut out any bruises (if you don't already) it might help.

I certainly peel them, but haven't paid close attention to cutting out
all the damaged bits. I know about the skin irritation bit; they (and
many other members of the family) contain a chemical that blocks the
skin's ability to protect itself from the sun. Depending on the
sensitivity of your skin you may not see any reaction from quite
prolonged contact on solidly overcast days, but sunlight leads to a
remarkable burn -- I tested some wild parsnip on my (inner) arm and it
raised blisters 12 hours later. I pity the youngsters who used to use
the stems as peashooters!

regards
sarah

--
Think of it as evolution in action.

"sarah" > wrote in message
...
> Doctor J. Frink > wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 09:35:53 +0000, sarah > wrote:
>> >
>> >Speaking (as it were) of parsnips, does anyone else find that one or two
>> >of them seem to leave the mouth/tongue/lips slightly numb? I know it's
>> >in the same family as some rather nasty plants; I just wondered if some
>> >roots contain a higher concentration of something. Or perhaps it's my
>> >first food allergy!
>>
>> I can't say I've experienced any numbness but parsnips do contain toxins
>> (as lots of veg does), which can cause skin irritation when exposed to
>> sunlight and possibly upset stomach.
>>
>> They tend to be in the damaged areas so if you peel the parsnip well and
>> thoroughly cut out any bruises (if you don't already) it might help.
>
> I certainly peel them, but haven't paid close attention to cutting out
> all the damaged bits. I know about the skin irritation bit; they (and
> many other members of the family) contain a chemical that blocks the
> skin's ability to protect itself from the sun. Depending on the
> sensitivity of your skin you may not see any reaction from quite
> prolonged contact on solidly overcast days, but sunlight leads to a
> remarkable burn -- I tested some wild parsnip on my (inner) arm and it
> raised blisters 12 hours later. I pity the youngsters who used to use
> the stems as peashooters!
>
Is that a feature of all the Umbellifera?
Graham

graham wrote:
>
> "sarah" > wrote
> > I certainly peel them, but haven't paid close attention to cutting out
> > all the damaged bits. I know about the skin irritation bit; they (and
> > many other members of the family) contain a chemical that blocks the
> > skin's ability to protect itself from the sun. Depending on the
> > sensitivity of your skin you may not see any reaction from quite
> > prolonged contact on solidly overcast days, but sunlight leads to a
> > remarkable burn -- I tested some wild parsnip on my (inner) arm and it
> > raised blisters 12 hours later. I pity the youngsters who used to use
> > the stems as peashooters!
> >
> Is that a feature of all the Umbellifera?
>
It's certainly a feature of the Giant Hogweed.

graham > wrote:

> "sarah" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Doctor J. Frink > wrote:
> >
> >> On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 09:35:53 +0000, sarah > wrote:
> >> >
> >> >Speaking (as it were) of parsnips, does anyone else find that one or two
> >> >of them seem to leave the mouth/tongue/lips slightly numb? I know it's
> >> >in the same family as some rather nasty plants; I just wondered if some
> >> >roots contain a higher concentration of something. Or perhaps it's my
> >> >first food allergy!
> >>
> >> I can't say I've experienced any numbness but parsnips do contain toxins
> >> (as lots of veg does), which can cause skin irritation when exposed to
> >> sunlight and possibly upset stomach.
> >>
> >> They tend to be in the damaged areas so if you peel the parsnip well and
> >> thoroughly cut out any bruises (if you don't already) it might help.
> >
> > I certainly peel them, but haven't paid close attention to cutting out
> > all the damaged bits. I know about the skin irritation bit; they (and
> > many other members of the family) contain a chemical that blocks the
> > skin's ability to protect itself from the sun. Depending on the
> > sensitivity of your skin you may not see any reaction from quite
> > prolonged contact on solidly overcast days, but sunlight leads to a
> > remarkable burn -- I tested some wild parsnip on my (inner) arm and it
> > raised blisters 12 hours later. I pity the youngsters who used to use
> > the stems as peashooters!
> >
> Is that a feature of all the Umbellifera?

I don't know, but it's possible, perhaps to a lesser extent. The
compounds involved are psoralens and furanocoumarins. There are records
of contact dermatitis suffered by people working with carrots, angelica,
and dill to name some of the more popular plants; others, such as Giant
Hogweed (_Hieraceum mantegazzianum_, from memory!) are very dangerous. I
tested the Wild Parsnip to judge whether the results were sufficiently
severe to have put two lads in hospital with what were diagnosed as
'chemical burns' on their legs. The answer was most definitely 'Yes',
and I'd add I have *never* itched so much from anything before (but then
I don't think I ever encountered Poison Ivy).

regards
sarah


--
Think of it as evolution in action.

"sarah" > wrote in message
...
> graham > wrote:
>
>> "sarah" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > Doctor J. Frink > wrote:
>> >
>> >> On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 09:35:53 +0000, sarah >
>> >> wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >Speaking (as it were) of parsnips, does anyone else find that one or
>> >> >two
>> >> >of them seem to leave the mouth/tongue/lips slightly numb? I know
>> >> >it's
>> >> >in the same family as some rather nasty plants; I just wondered if
>> >> >some
>> >> >roots contain a higher concentration of something. Or perhaps it's my
>> >> >first food allergy!
>> >>
>> >> I can't say I've experienced any numbness but parsnips do contain
>> >> toxins
>> >> (as lots of veg does), which can cause skin irritation when exposed to
>> >> sunlight and possibly upset stomach.
>> >>
>> >> They tend to be in the damaged areas so if you peel the parsnip well
>> >> and
>> >> thoroughly cut out any bruises (if you don't already) it might help.
>> >
>> > I certainly peel them, but haven't paid close attention to cutting out
>> > all the damaged bits. I know about the skin irritation bit; they (and
>> > many other members of the family) contain a chemical that blocks the
>> > skin's ability to protect itself from the sun. Depending on the
>> > sensitivity of your skin you may not see any reaction from quite
>> > prolonged contact on solidly overcast days, but sunlight leads to a
>> > remarkable burn -- I tested some wild parsnip on my (inner) arm and it
>> > raised blisters 12 hours later. I pity the youngsters who used to use
>> > the stems as peashooters!
>> >
>> Is that a feature of all the Umbellifera?
>
> I don't know, but it's possible, perhaps to a lesser extent. The
> compounds involved are psoralens and furanocoumarins. There are records
> of contact dermatitis suffered by people working with carrots, angelica,
> and dill to name some of the more popular plants; others, such as Giant
> Hogweed (_Hieraceum mantegazzianum_, from memory!) are very dangerous. I
> tested the Wild Parsnip to judge whether the results were sufficiently
> severe to have put two lads in hospital with what were diagnosed as
> 'chemical burns' on their legs. The answer was most definitely 'Yes',
> and I'd add I have *never* itched so much from anything before (but then
> I don't think I ever encountered Poison Ivy).
>
I don't recall ever reacting to "Sheep's parsley" as a kid. Until these
posts, I didn't know of these complaints/reactions and the Umbellifera are
such an important source of food, herbs and spices.
Graham

graham > wrote:

> "sarah" > wrote in message
> ...
> > graham > wrote:
> >
> >> "sarah" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> > Doctor J. Frink > wrote:
[-]
> >> >> I can't say I've experienced any numbness but parsnips do contain
> >> >> toxins (as lots of veg does), which can cause skin irritation when
> >> >> exposed to sunlight and possibly upset stomach.
> >> >>
> >> >> They tend to be in the damaged areas so if you peel the parsnip well
> >> >> and thoroughly cut out any bruises (if you don't already) it might
> >> >> help.
> >> >
> >> > I certainly peel them, but haven't paid close attention to cutting out
> >> > all the damaged bits. I know about the skin irritation bit; they (and
> >> > many other members of the family) contain a chemical that blocks the
> >> > skin's ability to protect itself from the sun. Depending on the
> >> > sensitivity of your skin you may not see any reaction from quite
> >> > prolonged contact on solidly overcast days, but sunlight leads to a
> >> > remarkable burn -- I tested some wild parsnip on my (inner) arm and it
> >> > raised blisters 12 hours later. I pity the youngsters who used to use
> >> > the stems as peashooters!
> >> >
> >> Is that a feature of all the Umbellifera?
> >
> > I don't know, but it's possible, perhaps to a lesser extent. The
> > compounds involved are psoralens and furanocoumarins. There are records
> > of contact dermatitis suffered by people working with carrots, angelica,
> > and dill to name some of the more popular plants; others, such as Giant
> > Hogweed (_Hieraceum mantegazzianum_, from memory!) are very dangerous. I
> > tested the Wild Parsnip to judge whether the results were sufficiently
> > severe to have put two lads in hospital with what were diagnosed as
> > 'chemical burns' on their legs. The answer was most definitely 'Yes',
> > and I'd add I have *never* itched so much from anything before (but then
> > I don't think I ever encountered Poison Ivy).
> >
> I don't recall ever reacting to "Sheep's parsley" as a kid. Until these
> posts, I didn't know of these complaints/reactions and the Umbellifera are
> such an important source of food, herbs and spices.

I've never reacted to carrots or dill -- it's usually people who harvest
or otherwise work with the plants a lot who develop sensitivities.
Hogweed/Wild Parsnip are unusual in the degree and speed of reaction.

regards
sarah


--
Think of it as evolution in action.

Following up to sarah

>I've never reacted to carrots or dill -- it's usually people who harvest
>or otherwise work with the plants a lot who develop sensitivities.
>Hogweed/Wild Parsnip are unusual in the degree and speed of reaction.

all parsnips of course.
I often get umbillifer sap on me on the allotment I should think,
ive had no problem with carrots etc, but then I havent with
parsnip, but then you harvest them in winter. Perhaps i'm
roboallotmenter?
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 22:18:06 GMT, "graham" > wrote:

>I don't recall ever reacting to "Sheep's parsley" as a kid. Until these
>posts, I didn't know of these complaints/reactions and the Umbellifera are
>such an important source of food, herbs and spices.

As I recall, water parsley is deadly poisonous and hemlock is also one
of the family. Don't try this at home. I wonder if our distant
ancestors had to treat parsnips to detoxify them and gradually bred
the poisons out. Perhaps they were used for "medicinal" properties
before they became ordinary vegetables. But then all sorts of foods
are poisonous if we eat enough, don't prepare them properly or are
unlucky enough to be susceptible. Some beans are well known for
containing arsenic and even potatoes are poisonous if we eat an
unfeasibly large amount. Others may know more.
--
Phil C.

Following up to Phil C.

>and even potatoes are poisonous if we eat an
>unfeasibly large amount.

especially as chips! :-)
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Phil C. > wrote:

> On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 22:18:06 GMT, "graham" > wrote:
>
> >I don't recall ever reacting to "Sheep's parsley" as a kid. Until these
> >posts, I didn't know of these complaints/reactions and the Umbellifera are
> >such an important source of food, herbs and spices.
>
> As I recall, water parsley is deadly poisonous and hemlock is also one
> of the family. Don't try this at home. I wonder if our distant
> ancestors had to treat parsnips to detoxify them and gradually bred
> the poisons out. Perhaps they were used for "medicinal" properties
> before they became ordinary vegetables. But then all sorts of foods
> are poisonous if we eat enough, don't prepare them properly or are
> unlucky enough to be susceptible. Some beans are well known for
> containing arsenic and even potatoes are poisonous if we eat an
> unfeasibly large amount. Others may know more.

I have some books on the topic, and if I spend any longer working on
*that* document I'll be quite, quite mad...

**NOTE: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. I AM NOT ADVISING ANYONE TO TRY ANY OF
THIS. ANY PLANT CAN BE HARMFUL WHEN INGESTED. Some EXTREMELY POISONOUS
plants (such as Fool's Parsley) can be easily confused with the
following interesting plants**

Launert (Edible and Medicinal Plants of Britain and Northern Europe)
declares Wild Parsnip to be edible: the root (best collected in late
autumn or winter[1], when it's at its sweetest) should be blanched in
boiling salted water to remove its 'sharp flavour', as should the older
leaves. Young leaves and shoots can be added to soups, roots treated as
carrots (after blanching). Both he and de Rougemont (Crops of Britain
and Europe) place Wild Parsnip in the same Genus and spp as cultivated,
although apparently some people put Wild Parsnip in a separate
subspecies. DR says Parsnip has been cultivated since Roman times, but
'superior forms' probably developed after the Middle Ages.

Interestingly, Launert gives only medicinal uses for Wild Carrot (juice
of the root for nervous or physical exhaustion, dropsy and internal
inflammation; must be taken for long periods), freshly grated roots good
against worms in children, dried powdered root to treat diarrhoea in
babi... excuse me a moment: READ THE NOTE AT THE TOP AGAIN! I have in
fact nibbled on roots of wild carrot without ill effect, but not much
pleasure either. I should try some wild parsnip sometime, but I'd want
to mark the plants in high summer to avoid confusion with the really
nasty relatives.

regards
sarah



[1] Makes sense. Winter/early spring is when people were hungriest, too.


--
Think of it as evolution in action.