So, WE, lets say that it is commonly reported in WILDERNESS SURVIVAL books that rock tripe is a natural cure for diarrhea.
I certainly would have to be way north of where I am normally and also have diarrhea in the wilderness to even try it as a cure. So, I am guessing it would be nearly impossible for me to actually have any chance of first hand experience with this particular plant.
If I am having a conversation with someone and they make the statement that "Rock Tripe is natural cure for diarhea." Your saying it would be irresponsible for me to tell them that in some cases where rock tripe is near a source of pollution it may actually worsen your symptoms?
Notice that I did not say it causes diarrhea. I would assume that if you are trying it as a cure. That you actually had the diarrhea when you tried to cure it. If not, then you would have to guess what caused the diarrhea. Otherwise, you will have to, while healthy and eliminating as many other risk factors as possible, try the rock tripe several more times and see if you get sick each time or at least the majority of time.
Most who have read any good books on wild edibles will have already have been warned to be careful of eating plants that are near road sides or populated places because of the risk of pollutants.
But, I don't believe that if in the above conversation, I caution someone that using rock tripe to cure diarrhea may have the opposite effect if the lichen has been exposed to pollutants. In fact it would be irresponsible of me not to caution that person, IMHO. I would of course site my source as an internet forum.
Also, there are more than a few people on every forum that claim experience or skills that they do not even come close to owning. None of us have the ability to weed them out completely. I have read one story on this site reportedly happened down here in the Everglades. It was either HEAVILY embellished or straight BS. I looked to see if I saw anything that could get someone hurt. There was not anything that I could see and so I just left it be.
The nice thing is that by your post here about rock tripe. We forum members can say we have heard of a case where it might do more harm... We couldn't say that elsewhere under your rules of posting.
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