Chef sorry for poison plant error

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:00 am

Celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson has apologised after he recommended use of a poisonous plant in recipes.

In a magazine interview about watercress and other wild foods, Mr Worrall Thompson said the weed henbane was "great in salads".

Healthy & Organic Living magazine's website has now issued an urgent warning that "henbane is a very toxic plant and should never be eaten".

The chef had meant to recommend fat hen, which is a wild herb.

Mr Worrall Thompson, currently on holiday in Spain, told the BBC the mix-up was "embarrassing - but one of those genuine mistakes".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7540648.stm

"Henbane is associated with lots of mythical tales - it's said to turn you black and it's used in witches potions," he said.

Thankfully no reports of any casualties up to now:-3

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:27 am

The guy's an idiot. I'm told he wrote a cookery book for diabetic's in which nearly every recipe uses honey. Alledgedly he said that honey was a natural sugar and therefore good for you. I'm sorry but sugar is NOT good for a diabetic! I cannot eat too much fruit as it is high in fructose ~ a natural sugar! ~ and it sends my glucose levels soaring! The smaller the fruit (apparently) the more sugar it contains, so my lovely grapes are now a rare treat. And if grapes are bad for me, how much worse must the concentrated sugar in honey be?

The guy's an idiot!

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:50 pm

Rapunzel;942664 wrote: The guy's an idiot. I'm told he wrote a cookery book for diabetic's in which nearly every recipe uses honey. Alledgedly he said that honey was a natural sugar and therefore good for you. I'm sorry but sugar is NOT good for a diabetic! I cannot eat too much fruit as it is high in fructose ~ a natural sugar! ~ and it sends my glucose levels soaring! The smaller the fruit (apparently) the more sugar it contains, so my lovely grapes are now a rare treat. And if grapes are bad for me, how much worse must the concentrated sugar in honey be?

The guy's an idiot!

Hope he's turned over a new leaf

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:52 pm

:wah:

Richard Bell · Post by **Richard Bell** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:05 pm

From erowid.com :

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Family :

Solanaceae

Genus :

Hyoscyamus

Species :

niger

COMMON NAMES

Black Henbane; Devil's Eyes

EFFECTS CLASSIFICATION

Poison; Deliriant

DESCRIPTION

Hyoscyamus niger is a biennial herb growing up to 1 meter that produces veined yellow flowers and large quantities of seeds. All parts of the plant contain scopolamine, atropine, and hyoscyamine and can be deadly poisonous.

Erowid notes the plant has hallucinogenic properties, and has been widely used by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, as well as a staple ingredient in witches' potions.

Think I'll stick with romaine lettuce.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:59 pm

Please see your local witch if you need a concoction involving henbane. Such items should only be handled by professionals.

:sneaky:

Richard Bell · Post by **Richard Bell** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:56 pm

AussiePam;950824 wrote: Please see your local witch if you need a concoction involving henbane. Such items should only be handled by professionals.

:sneaky:

Good advice.

"Deadly poisonous" is enough to keep me away from it.