White Snakeroot

[Guest guest]

I was botanizing in my back yard over the weekend and was shocked to

identify and read about the plant, white snakeroot. I live in SE Ohio

and this is a fairly common plant in these here parts. Unfortunately,

it is incredibly toxic when consumed and the toxicity can be passed

along in pastured animals' milk. It is believed that Abe Lincoln's

mother died of such 'milk sickness'.

Has anyone else heard of this? I am wondering how widely-known this

is. Milk sickness is rare today because, in the world of industrial

farming, the milk from several cows (for example) is mixed together.

But back in the days when everyone drank their milk from the same

small herd of cows, whole communities would suffer from illness and

death. BTW, the chemical in the white snakeroot that has caused death

can merely be carginogenic in lesser concentrations.

I am new to the raw dairy scene -- would I sound really dumb or

offensive if I broached this topic with my raw milk sources? Is it

common knowledge amongst dairy farmers to keep white snakeroot out of

their pastures?

Thanks,

Joyce

[Guest guest]

I had never heard of white snakeroot until my Ohio Representative trotted it out last spring as a " reason " to not support the current raw milk bill (H.B. 534).

The most critical finding in my research is that pasteurization doesn't inactivate it. Here's the article that I sent to my representative.

http://www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/2004/winter/finaldx.asp

OBTW...your raw milk sources should be familiar with the topic and should mind your questions.

Warren

I was botanizing in my back yard over the weekend and was shocked to identify and read about the plant, white snakeroot. I live in SE Ohio and this is a fairly common plant in these here parts. Unfortunately, it is incredibly toxic when consumed and the toxicity can be passed along in pastured animals' milk. It is believed that Abe Lincoln's mother died of such 'milk sickness'.Has anyone else heard of this? I am wondering how widely-known this is. Milk sickness is rare today because, in the world of industrial farming, the milk from several cows (for example) is mixed together. But back in the days when everyone drank their milk from the same small herd of cows, whole communities would suffer from illness and death. BTW, the chemical in the white snakeroot that has caused death can merely be carginogenic in lesser concentrations.I am new to the raw dairy scene -- would I sound really dumb or offensive if I broached this topic with my raw milk sources? Is it common knowledge amongst dairy farmers to keep white snakeroot out of their pastures?Thanks,Joyce