Houseplants are a great way to spruce up your living environment. The best indoor plants look gorgeous, of course, but they can also give you a mental and physical boost, cleaning the air and reducing stress levels. But before you start exploring the health benefits of gardening and searching for the best low-maintenance plants, you need to be aware of one very important thing: Poisonous plants may be on your to-buy list—or already in your own home.

More than 700 plants are poisonous to cats and dogs, and some plants are also toxic to humans. While you might not be nibbling on your houseplants, remember that this is a concern if you have small children who live with you or who visit. Also, some plants can cause itchiness if you touch them, so you’ll want to proceed with caution, regardless. Read on for the dangerous plants you might not suspect are as toxic as they actually are.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

This succulent plant is a favorite to have around the house because it can help soothe human skin that’s been sunburned, frostbitten, or that is prone to psoriasis, according to Penn Medicine. That’s because it contains anti-inflammatory chemical compounds called anthraquinones. However, those same compounds act as purgatives that increase mucous and water in the colon, making them moderately toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, reports the ASPCA. If your pet ingests aloe, it could lead to vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea. Speaking of ingestion, here are the foods you shouldn’t share with your pup.

Elephant’s Ear (Alocasia)

This plant is easy to care for indoors or out, but you’ll want to keep it far from kids and pets. It contains insoluble calcium oxalates, “needle-shaped crystals [that] can irritate the skin, mouth, tongue, and throat, resulting in throat swelling, breathing difficulties, burning pain, and stomach upset,” according to the University of California. And it doesn’t have to be ingested to cause a problem: It can also cause rashes if its juice gets on the skin. That means a trip to the vet—look out for drooling, pawing at the face, and vomiting—or a call to poison control. Whether elephant’s ear is in your backyard or not, here’s how to keep dogs out of your flower beds.

Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus)

Sure, this lacy-looking fern is a beauty to behold. But it’s also a mild toxin to your pets, who might not be able to resist giving it a chomp if its fronds are dangling within reach. It contains sapogenins, chemicals that protect plants against hostile invading organisms, and in your pet, they act as a mild toxin on the skin and may cause itching and rashes. Their berries, if ingested, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum)

Meet another easy-peasy houseplant with a nasty bite. Just like elephant ears, all varieties of philodendron contain insoluble calcium oxalates that penetrate your animals’ bodily tissues—namely, in the mouth, where chewing of the leaves happens—and cause irritation of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. In very rare cases, it might lead to obstructed breathing. Hypersalivation, vomiting, and possible swelling of the pharynx are common symptoms; treatment includes milk or water to rinse out the mouth.

Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna)

Every part of this gorgeous winter holiday flowering plant is toxic to humans and pets—mostly the bulb, but also the stems and leaves. It contains lycorine and other phenanthridine alkaloids, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested (by pets or humans), as well as blood pressure drops and respiratory depression in pets. Its juice can also cause some pretty serious rashes.

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)

Things get a little more serious for pets when it comes to sago palms and plants related to them. They contain three toxins, including, most significantly, cycasin, which can lead to liver failure in dogs, as well as seizures and tremors. How can you tell if your pet has ingested this dangerous plant? Signs will include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abnormal fluid accumulation in the abdomen, abdominal pain, and black, tar-like stool. The seeds have the highest concentration of cycasin, but you shouldn’t let your pup eat any part of a palm—and if he does, he’s likely looking at some extensive treatments at the vet’s office, and a 30 percent mortality rate. Needless to say, this is one plant you don’t want to mess with. If all of this has you worried, you may want to opt for these artificial plants that no one will be able to tell are fake.

Lilies (Lillium)

It’s unlikely that you’re growing lilies as houseplants, but cat lovers beware: If you’ve brought in a bouquet filled with any members of this family—including Easter lilies, tiger lilies, or even day lilies of the Hemerocallis genus—it’s an acute danger to your fluffy feline friend. Scientists aren’t quite sure what makes lilies poisonous to cats. What they do know is that whatever it is, it can lead to renal failure, which, if not treated quickly, can lead to death. Even the nibble of one petal or a sip from the water the flowers sat in is enough to set things off. An initial period of vomiting and diarrhea may quickly subside, but the real trouble begins after 24 hours, which is why immediate care should be sought.

Mistletoe (Phoradendron)

Another plant you’re unlikely to be growing at home but perhaps might be compelled to bring in at holiday time, this one is a serious danger not only to cats but also to dogs and humans. Mistletoe berries contain polysaccharides, alkaloids, and lectins, which can give your pets gastrointestinal distress when eaten in small quantities, and seizures or even death when consumed in larger amounts. It can also cause digestive issues in humans, as well as hallucinations and skin rashes if the berry juice gets on the skin. While we’re on the subject, poinsettias are another Christmas flower that’s also poisonous to pets.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

As Farmers’ Almanac rightly points out, “cats are wildly attracted to spider plants (all those wiggly legs!)” And although these plants are not considered to be much of a threat to felines, or anyone, they do contain chemical compounds that may or may not be related to opium and might give your cat pal an upset stomach. Keep those spider plants high enough off the ground that even your most acrobatic feline can’t reach them. These plants are practically invincible, so don’t worry too much about hanging them up.

Oleander (Nerium oleander)

While oleander isn’t usually grown indoors, lots of folks pot these delicate shrubs and bring them in from the garden to overwinter in cold climates. And while they may look gorgeous, they are deadly. As with other plants that contain cardiac glycosides—including foxglove and lily of the valley—these compounds get rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and quickly begin to interfere with the heart’s electrolyte balance. For pets and humans alike, this can lead to abnormal heartbeat, life-threatening potassium spikes, seizures, and even sudden death. All parts of the plant are poisonous, even in very small amounts. The good news is that they’re pretty bitter, so that should discourage even the most taste-testy members of your household.

Flowers with Bulbs

Daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips are flowers that grow from bulbs rather than seeds, and it’s these bulbs that can cause some pretty serious gastrointestinal distress if consumed in both pets and humans. We’re talking stomachaches, nausea, vomiting, and even hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. This is all thanks to lycorine, “an alkaloid with strong emetic properties (something that triggers vomiting),” according to the Pet Poison Helpline. Lycorine crystals are found in the outer layer of the bulbs, although eating the stems and leaves is also ill-advised. Additionally, Salon reports that eating bulbs can lead to blood pressure spikes, irregular heartbeat, tremors, and possibly death.

Peace Lily (Araceae)

Although it’s unrelated to true (and truly toxic) lilies, the peace lily has its own potent powers. With its insoluble calcium oxalates, it can cause unpleasant burning and swelling of the lips and tongue—in humans and pets—as well as nausea and diarrhea. It does not, however, cause kidney failure in cats, as has been reported. Another plant to stash way up high!

Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)

These common household trees contain a sap (ficin) that can irritate the mouth, throat, and skin. Were you to be so foolhardy as to ingest some of this sap yourself, you might also find yourself with impaired coordination. In your pets, look for signs of decreased appetite, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. Make sure you do your research before you buy any seeds online.

Geranium (Pelargonium)

Geraniums are easy to care for and filled with lovely blossoms. But they also contain chemicals called geraniol and linalool, which will make your cats and dogs feel pretty gross: itchy on their skin if they get these compounds under their fur, nauseous, and, over time, anorexic.

Jade plant (Crassula argentea)

Another mystery of the toxic plant world is the jade. Here again, no one is quite scientifically sure why this beautiful succulent, considered by some to be good luck, will make your cat or dog vomit, or irritate their skin. On the plus side, it is, at least, considered a minor toxin. Next, find out where to buy plants online that are safe for everyone in your household.

Sources:

• Penn Medicine: “Aloe Vera: Not Just for Sunburns”
• ASPCA: “Poisonous Plants”
• Pet Poison Helpline: “Poison List: What Did Your Pet Ingest?
• Farmers’ Almanac: “30 Common Houseplants From A-Z That Are Toxic To Pets”
• Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association: “Toxic Plants”
• Salon: “Not all greenery is good: 10 hazardous houseplants to watch out for”

The post 15 Toxic Plants You May Already Have at Home appeared first on Taste Recipes.

Virus vs. bacteria

Both viruses and bacteria can cause illness, but they don’t cause the same illnesses. And while all viruses are bad, there are both “bad” bacteria and “good” bacteria, such as the kind that live in our gut and help make things like cheese and yogurt. But whereas bacteria are living organisms, viruses are not; instead they require a live host, such as a human, in order to proliferate. That means that getting rid of bacteria and virus germs—whether in our bodies or in our homes—requires different methods.

To treat a bacterial infection such as strep throat or a urinary tract infection, for example, doctors will prescribe antibiotics. To treat a viral infection, doctors won’t prescribe antibiotics because they’ll have no effect. Instead, doctors advise rest and drink fluids for a virus if it’s mild, and antiviral medications for cases that are more severe. We can get vaccinated to prevent both viral diseases such as chickenpox and bacterial diseases such as tetanus. When washing hands and cleaning our surfaces, there are some differences in what works against bacteria vs. viruses.

What are SARS-CoV-2 & COVID-19?

The coronavirus that’s now shutting down the world, officially called SARS-CoV-2 (which stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), causes a disease called COVID-19 (which stands for coronavirus disease 2019). As its name indicates, SARS-CoV-2 is a virus, not a bacterium, and it can afflict pets as well as humans. That makes it related to other viruses that have hit humanity hard in the last few years, including AIDS, MERS and SARS-classic, according to The Atlantic. Got all that?

What this has to do with disinfecting

There are cleaning agents that are good at killing most bacteria and viruses, such as the flu, and there are cleaning agents that are good at killing only some of them. What you choose to use as a disinfectant will depend on what you’re trying to get rid of, and also the surface you’re dealing with—your hands, say, versus a countertop, door handle, water tap or even cardboard box that you receive in the mail. Read on as we break it all down, with a focus on cleaning and disinfecting for SARS CoV-2.

Do soap and water kill bacteria?

You’ve heard over and over by now that washing your hands is one of the single most effective ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus—or any virus or bacterium. Here’s how it kills viruses: As The New York Times explains, a drop of soap diluted in water (yes, you need both for this method to be effective) works to quite literally pry the offending molecules apart, after which “essential proteins spill from the ruptured membranes into the surrounding water… rendering the viruses useless.” To disinfect fabric items, launder with a soap-based detergent. For hard surfaces such as countertops, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a two-step process—cleaning with soap and water, then disinfecting afterward, using an Environmental Protection Agency-registered household disinfectant such as a bleach mixture (more on that later). That’s because soap and water do not necessarily kill bacteria—they just mechanically remove it (sending it down the drain), so it’s less likely to cause harm.

Verdict: Soap and water are effective at removing bacteria and killing viruses.

Does alcohol kill bacteria?

On hands, hand sanitizer that contains alcohol (check the label), is considered a decent method of decontamination when it’s not possible to wash with soap and water, which is the gold standard. The CDC recommends a solution containing at least 70 percent alcohol for disinfecting surfaces such as phones and touch screens against SARS CoV-2. Studies show that isopropyl alcohol is a strong killer of bacteria.

Verdict: When used correctly, alcohol can kill bacteria and viruses.

Does bleach kill bacteria?

The CDC recommends bleach for disinfecting, and it’s on the EPA’s list of substances that are approved for killing viruses and bacteria of all kinds, as well as fungi. Bleach must be diluted to the right strength, however, which is 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water. To be effective, bleach must also sit on a surface for at least five minutes. Make sure to use it in a well-ventilated area, keep it out of your eyes, and whatever you do, never mix it with peroxide, ammonia or acidic detergents used for cleaning, as the combination can cause toxic and lethal gases.

Verdict: When used correctly, bleach can kill bacteria and viruses.

Does hydrogen peroxide kill bacteria?

Commercially available 3% hydrogen peroxide is a stable and effective disinfectant and can kill bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungus and spores on hard, non-porous surfaces such as metal, glass and plastic, according to the CDC. It’s important to note that it requires 10 minutes of contact in order to be effective. Be aware that hydrogen peroxide can explode if it comes into contact with metals such as copper and iron at concentrations above 30 percent, and that it should never be mixed with vinegar or bleach. Here are some more common household cleaners that should never be mixed.

Verdict: When used correctly, hydrogen peroxide can kill bacteria and viruses.

Does vinegar kill bacteria?

Studies have found that certain types of vinegar can reduce the number of bacteria such as salmonella and the bacteria that causes tuberculosis, as well as the flu virus, if you apply it for 30 or more minutes, but that’s a lot of scrubbing time! There’s another downside: Studies have found that vinegar isn’t as effective at busting germs as chemical products such as Lysol and Bleach. Vingear is not registered by the EPA as an effective disinfectant and should not be used as one. Here are things you shouldn’t clean with vinegar.

Verdict: Vinegar kills some bacteria, but not all. There is no evidence that vinegar kills viruses.

Does ammonia kill bacteria?

Ammonia from the bottle you store under your kitchen sink is not likely to kill SARS CoV-2, according to a Tufts University guide to disinfectants, and should not be used as a disinfectant; likewise, it’s not recognized by the EPA as a substance that will kill bacteria. That said, there are substances called quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in many disinfecting products—i.e., various Lysol and Clorox products—that appear on the CDC list of disinfectants registered for use against SARS CoV-2 and other viruses, including other coronaviruses, norovirus, rhinovirus and poliovirus. But alas, your ammonia bottle does not contain a high enough concentration of these compounds to be effective. It does make a great glass cleaner, though.

Verdict: Ammonia doesn’t kill bacteria or viruses.

Does Pine-Sol kill bacteria?

Pine-Sol is effective against some bacteria—mostly gram-negative (which includes E-Coli), but only if it’s used in relatively high concentrations, according to ScienceDirect. You’ll also want to check the label to see how much actual pine oil is in the cleanser. Pine-Sol (the brand) contains between 8 to 12 percent pine oil, which should be effective, while imitations may contain mixtures derived from pine oil rather than pine oil itself, and those will be less effective. There is no evidence that pine oil kills viruses.

Verdict: Pine-Sol kills some bacteria, but not all. There is no evidence that Pine-Sol kills viruses.

Does heat kill bacteria?

Heat is one of the easiest ways to combat bacteria and viruses, according to Jessica Samson of The Maids. “You can use your dishwasher to kill bacteria quickly,” Samson says, disinfecting pet bowls, scrub pads and some plastic kids’ toys. Be sure to use the dishwasher’s sanitize cycle, a final rinse with a temperature of 150 degrees, which kills up to 99.99 percent of germs. Heat from your clothes’ dryer is also effective at killing viruses and bacteria, Saskia Popescu, a senior infection prevention epidemiologist at Honor Health in Phoenix told NPR. “One-hundred to 130 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes in a dryer tends to kill most microorganisms on clothing.” While you’re at it, toss stuffed animals and blankets, along with any germ-infected laundry, into a hot dryer to sanitize the items. Check out these things you never knew your dryer could do.

Verdict: When used correctly, heat can kill bacteria and viruses.

Does steam kill bacteria?

Although the CDC does not have guidelines on using steam to disinfect—which is why it can’t be trusted against coronavirus, Samson uses a steam cleaner or garment steamer to disinfect carpets and other items that can’t go in the wash. “Steam can kill up to 99.9% of dust mites, germs and bacteria,” she says. This includes E. coli, salmonella, staph bacteria and other microorganisms. Steam cleaners turn tap water into deep cleaning vapor via heat. To be effective, the steam needs to heat to at least 175 degrees Fahrenheit and be applied for at least three minutes. Make sure you don’t use it on anything that may be damaged by heat, such as water-based paint or marble.

Verdict: When used correctly, steam can kill bacteria. There are no official guidelines on whether or not it kills viruses.

Does burning sage kill bacteria?

Burning sage can kill airborne bacteria, according to a study published in J Ethnopharmacol. Burning sage, also called smudging, will kill airborne bacteria by up to 94 percent and may keep the air bacteria-free for up to 24 hours. Note that you’ll still need to wipe down surfaces and fabrics with an effective disinfectant, and there’s no evidence that burning sage kills viruses.

Verdict: Sage may kill airborne bacteria, but you’ll need to also need to disinfect surfaces. There is no evidence that sage kills viruses.

Does gargling salt water kill bacteria?

A time-honored home remedy to soothe sore throats and mouth sores, gargling may kill bacteria, but there haven’t been enough studies to definitively prove it, according to Medical News today. A study from 2010 found that children who gargled with salt water twice a day for three weeks had significantly reduced levels of bacteria in their mouths than those who used a placebo, and another 2010 study found that those who used a salt water gargle were less likely to suffer from respiratory tract infections. But don’t depend on it. The simple salt water gargle wasn’t as effective at killing bacteria as medical mouthwashes.

Verdict: There is no conclusive evidence that salt water gargles kill bacteria or viruses.

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