A woman residing in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam was rushed to a hospital after eating Vernicia Montana nuts and developing symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea this week.

The patient, identified as H.T.V.H., 53, was admitted to the intensive care unit at the Lang Son Provincial General Hospital for emergency treatment, the hospital said on Wednesday.

H., a resident of Van Quan District, developed the symptoms 30 minutes after consuming the nuts, which were described as a strange type that looked like chestnuts.

Some 18 of H.’s neighbors, friends, and relatives ate the same nuts and showed similar symptoms. 

Some were taken to a local medical center for treatment while H., whose symptoms were more severe, was transferred from the medical center to the provincial general hospital.

She was diagnosed with nut poisoning and underwent medical treatment. She was discharged from the hospital once her symptoms improved. 

Local doctors confirmed that the nuts consumed by the patients is Vernicia Montana, which contains Saponosid, a toxic substance usually used to produce fertilizers and pesticides.

People who eat Vernicia Montana nuts will exhibit symptoms of vomiting, an upset stomach, headache, chest pain, and diarrhea between 30 minutes and four hours after consumption.

Those with severe symptoms could suffer bloody diarrhea, body aches, shortness of breath, convulsions, muscle paralysis, or even death.

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