Srinagar, May 20: Not everything ‘natural’ translates into ‘safe’: a popular wild fern consumed in J&K and many parts of the world carries danger of death, and serious health concerns, highlighted by the recent tragedy in Rajouri district.
Young fiddleheads (croziers) are collected in spring and early summer as a seasonal delicacy in many parts of J&K.
While people living near forests consumer the ferns after collecting them, these are also sold in markets of towns and cities, including Srinagar.
However, several species are full of natural toxins, and misidentification remains a persistent danger for connoisseurs.
Dryopteris filix-mas, commonly known as the male fern, and locally known as Geuwtheer or Longdi is a widespread forest fern in temperate regions.
Although some ferns have limited edible uses when properly prepared, the rhizomes and other parts of D filix-mas contain toxic compounds.
Toxins such as filicin found in this fern can cause severe poisoning, and even death.
Dr Shuja Qadri, Head Department of Community Medicine and Chief Epidemiologist at GMC Rajouri, said the symptoms of intoxication typically begin with acute gastrointestinal distress, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
“This is followed by neurological effects, dizziness, tremors, convulsions, impaired vision, potentially leading to blindness in severe cases, jaundice, and in extreme instances, cardiac or respiratory failure,” he said.
This can lead to coma or death.
The plant was historically used in medicine as an anthelmintic to expel tapeworms.
However therapeutic doses carried high risks, and it is now considered unsafe for internal consumption.
“Overdoses or consumption of improperly cooked stem laced fern heads can be fatal,” he warned.
It is also reported that proper cooking and discarding the water may reduce this risk.
Dr Qadri said the key danger is the visual similarity between edible fiddlehead species and toxic ones.
“Local collectors may inadvertently harvest Dryopteris filix-mas thinking it is a safer variety,” he said.
These risks became tragically real last week in village Modha Draj, in Kotranka Rajouri.
On May 15, 2026, several members of a family consumed a common lunch that included Dryopteris filix-mas.
“Soon afterward, they developed acute gastrointestinal symptoms, followed by neurological manifestations,” he said.
Eight patients, many of them children, were referred from Community Health Centre (CHC) Kandi to Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri.
Despite treatment, one elderly male patient, approximately 60 years old, succumbed,” he said.
The other seven patients were stabilised and remained under observation.
Dr Shuja said that the Department of Community Medicine, in coordination with health, district administration, and Oolice authorities is carrying out an investigation. “Samples have been sent for toxicological and forensic analysis,” he said.
This incident brings the dangers of wild herbs, and an urgent need for awareness.
Dr Qadri said residents must avoid unidentified and risky wild plants and seek immediate medical help if there is any symptom.
