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PLEASE NOTE:
"Poisonous" does not mean deadly. Some manifestations of toxicity are subtle. The dose, as always, determines if a plant is safe source of nutrients or a toxic hazard.

Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions

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BRIEF: What is poisonous about tung oil?


QUESTION:
The oil extracted from the tung nut tree is used to finish wood countertops, on cans of this oil it specifies it is a ideal finish for this and other wooden objects used around food, is this true and what is poisonous about the tree?

ANSWER:
It contains some nasty, irritating, carcinogenic phorbol esters.