Be careful with the leaves of the Indian laurel tree.

(Baonghean) Recently, the emergency department of Nghe An Children's Hospital received a patient with severe poisoning and anemia. The cause was that the family had previously used the leaves of the Indian laurel tree to treat the child...

The Claoxylon indicum tree also has other names such as "luc mai", "moi trang", "bo net"..., the scientific name is Claoxylon indicum (Reinw.ex Bl.) Hassk. The tree often grows wild in some mountainous areas, midlands and plains. In the highland districts of our province, the tree is also used by people to make fences and treat diseases, especially constipation.

According to Dr. Dau Thi Hoi - Department of Emergency Resuscitation of Children's Hospital, every year the hospital receives about a few dozen patients poisoned by Loc Mai leaves and some other forest leaves. Most of the patients when admitted to the hospital are in critical condition due to acute hemolysis and severe anemia. Many cases are due to late arrival, excessive hemolysis and not having time for blood transfusion, leading to death. It is worth mentioning that the use of Loc Mai leaves and some forest leaves has been warned many times in the media, but many people due to lack of knowledge still use them to treat diseases. Should the commune health stations and village health stations be more active in propagating to people about the harmful effects of Loc Mai leaves and providing first aid methods so that people understand and apply them if an unfortunate incident occurs?

Song Hoang