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The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ASPCA does not specifically list Tradescantia zebrina as toxic, and it does list a close relative, Tradescantia fluminensis (which also goes by the common name, Wandering Jew), as being a skin irritant to cats, dogs, and horses.
The sap contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause allergic reactions, including dermatitis in people and pets like dogs, cats, horses, and other living things.
It is unclear whether ingesting the sap would cause serious effects, but at a bare minimum, it would surely cause mouth and throat irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory failure, incoordination, tremors, abnormal heart rate, seizures, liver failure, and nausea.
Although there is little information regarding the effects of Wandering Jew when ingested, it is worth noting the sap of this toxic plant and its dark green leaves are used in a wide variety of folk medicines in many parts of the world.
Prepared as a tea, a compress, or a decoction, it is said to be an effective treatment against a wide array of ailments, including:
High Blood Pressure
The Common Cold
Kidney Stones
Tuberculosis
Diabetes
Colitis
Cancer
The sap is also said to be effective as an antibacterial agent and an antioxidant.
While it’s hard to know whether or not these reports are true, it is worth noting that frivolous use of folk cures is ill-advised, and care should be taken when handling vines used this way.
The problem is most members of the Tradescantia genus look very much alike. Many are almost indistinguishable from one another.
This way, it’s extremely important not to gather wild or naturalized plants as food unless you are certain of what you’re doing.
If you do accidentally gather Wandering Jew flowers, leaves, and fleshy stems to add to your salad or to sauté in your stir-fry, a skin rash may be your first clue as to their unsuitability for this purpose.
If you do develop dermatitis from contact with the Wandering Jew or one of its relatives, begin by flushing the area thoroughly with cool water and then washing it with soap and lukewarm water.
This may resolve the problem.
If it doesn’t, and itching persists or blisters develop, mix a quart of cool water and a tablespoon of white vinegar and use this mixture to make a cool compress to relieve the pain and itching.
If your symptoms don’t go away within twenty-four hours, see your doctor, as he or she may want to prescribe steroids or antihistamines.
The bottom line is that even though Wandering Jew is only listed as a plant that can cause skin irritation, it’s a good idea not to eat it or any of its relatives.
Furthermore, when handling trailing plants in the Tradescantia family, be sure to wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection and wash up thoroughly afterward.
