Beware of Rosary Pea, it is poisonous

Beware of Rosary Pea, it is poisonous

Dr Abe V Rotor

Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) Family Fabaceae. 

 Photos by the author, taken at San Vicente, Ilocos Sur Botanical Garden,

Abrus precatorius, commonly known as jequirity bean or rosary pea, is a herbaceous flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae. The plant is best known for its seeds, which are used as beads and in percussion instruments, and which are toxic because of the presence of abrin*. The entire plant is toxic, but the beans are highly toxic to humans. If eaten, A. precatorius seeds can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

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About Abrin

The rosary pea, which is the source of abrin, is common to many tropical areas throughout the world and is sometimes used as an herbal remedy.

• The seeds of the rosary pea have been used to make beaded jewelry, which can lead to abrin poisoning if the seeds are swallowed.
• Abrin is a natural poison that is found in the seeds of a plant called the rosary pea or jequirity pea. These seeds are red with a black spot covering one end. 
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• Abrin is used in medical research because of its potential as a treatment to kill cancer cells.  It has some potential medical uses, such as in treatment to kill cancer cells. 

Abrin is similar to ricin, a toxin that also is found in the seeds of a plant (the castor bean plant - Ricinus communis). PHOTO

Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention