He gympie gympie (Dendrocnide moroides) is not just one toxic plant. It is considered as the most painful plant in the world. And it is not for less, it is said that there are even those who have committed suicide to avoid having to endure the pain of coming into contact with her. For this reason, the story of an Australian woman who fell squarely on the plant is horrifying.
Is about Naomi Lewis, 42and has told his story in an interview for the Australian medium ABC News. Actually it was not an oversight, she knew the effects of this toxic plant. However, she was riding a mountain bike when he accidentally fell on her.
The whole plant is toxic, but mainly its stem. As soon as she fell on top of it, he noticed that structures similar to gympie gympie hairs they had stuck to his legs. Her husband immediately called an ambulance, and as it arrived, he ran to a pharmacy to buy wax strips. With them he tried to remove the hairs, as it is the recommended measure in these cases. However, he could not remove all of them, so the pain continued. So much so, that nine months later, he occasionally snaps back at Naomi’s legs.
Much more than a toxic plant
As soon as she came into contact with this toxic plant, Naomi says that the pain began to increase until she vomit. In the hospital they could not do much, since there is no antidote as such.
They simply put heating blankets on him and treated the pain with analgesics. She was hospitalized for a week, after which, when the pain decreased, she was discharged, but still with these prescribed drugs.
In the interview, the Australian tells that He has four children. One was born by vaginal delivery and the other three by cesarean section. However, he did not know a pain like the one he felt when he fell on this toxic plant.
Why so much pain?
The hairs of the gympie gympie have at their end a bulb composed of silica, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate. This acts like a needle, which inserts into the skin a neurotoxin, responsible for that intense pain. Those who have come into contact with it describe the sensation as being burned and electrocuted practically at the same time.
It should be noted that, despite being considered the most painful plant in the world, this toxic plant does not cause death. That’s why, not considered the most dangerous. Of course, there have been people who have committed suicide to avoid having to endure the pain. In fact, it is also known as the suicide sting, for obvious reasons. Luckily, that was not the case for Naomi. Although she still pays the consequences of her fall on her bicycle, her pain only returns sporadically and is not as intense as the one she felt that day.
It is a consolation, although I am sure that the next time you go out on a bicycle you will take much more into account the vegetation of the area. After having been through this bad, it is always better to be safe than sorry.