The Curious Case of the Murder Tree

TL;DR

The Cerbera Odollam, also known as the Suicide Tree, is a small hardwood tree found in India and South-East Asia that contains seeds with a deadly poison called cerberin, which can be used for murder and suicide.

Transcript

Due to the fact that they can’t move and as such can’t sneak up on you, many people never really think of trees as being dangerous. As it turns out though, beyond the occasional tree that kills a person by falling on them, there’s also a tree out there so deadly it has been dubbed “The Suicide Tree”. But as you’ll soon see, “The Murder Tree”, is ju... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤙 The Cerbera Odollam tree, also known as the Suicide Tree, contains seeds with a highly toxic substance called cerberin.
• 😷 The poison can be easily masked by flavors like sugar or chilies, making it a popular choice for murder and suicide in India.
• 🌲 The Cerbera Odollam tree is responsible for numerous deaths each year, particularly in the state of Kerala.
• 😒 The seeds of the tree have marketable uses and can be harvested for products like bio-insecticides and rat poison, providing economic opportunities for local communities.
• 😷 Medical science has ways to counteract the effects of cerberin poisoning, but immediate medical intervention is crucial.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is the Cerbera Odollam tree called the Suicide Tree?

The Cerbera Odollam tree is called the Suicide Tree because its seeds contain a highly toxic substance called cerberin, which is commonly used for suicide by ingesting it.

Q: How does cerberin affect the human body?

Cerberin, found in the seeds of the Cerbera Odollam tree, inhibits the cellular "sodium/potassium pump" enzyme, disrupting the heart's electrical system and causing it to stop, similar to how lethal injections work.

Q: Are there any known cases of people being poisoned by cerbera odollam seeds?

The exact number of deaths caused by cerbera odollam poisoning is uncertain, but it is responsible for at least a death per week in the South Indian state of Kerala alone.

Q: Why are women more likely to use cerbera odollam seeds for suicide?

Researchers speculate that the gender discrepancy in deaths caused by cerbera odollam poisoning is because the seeds are used to poison newly married wives who do not meet certain standards, and young women are also statistically more likely to use them for suicide.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Cerbera Odollam is a tree that looks harmless but hides a deadly secret in its seeds, containing a poisonous substance called cerberin.

• The seeds of the tree can cause vomiting, stomach pain, irregular heart rhythm, and even death within a few hours.

• In India, these seeds are commonly used for murder and suicide, often mixed with food and masked by flavors like sugar or chilies.