Alicia Silverstone shares health update after sparking fears when unknowingly eating poisonous plant in UK
Alicia Silverstone has shared a health update after unknowingly eating a poisonous plant in the UK.
The Clueless star, 47, filmed herself eating a toxic fruit during a visit to London, leaving fans seriously concerned.
Taking to TikTok on Tuesday (20 August), the US actor shared a video of her holding up an orange berry that she'd eaten off the street, writing in the caption: “What the heck is this!? I’m in England and can’t figure it out.”
“OK, I’ve discovered something that I can’t figure out what it is and I need your help," she began.
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“I just bit into it because it was on the street, and we were discussing whether it was a tomato or not.
“So what the heck is this?”
She added: “I don’t think you’re supposed to eat this.
“But it’s almost like a pepper. Does anyone know what this is? I don’t know what it is.”
Fans were worried by the clip, as one wrote: "Can someone tag me when we know she's OK."
While another said: "Is Alicia ok??? We need an update!"
And a third added: "Okay it is 7am in England, can you give us an update PLEASE. just a quick 'hey I’m okay!'”
Thankfully, the animal rights activist has now shared a positive health update with her fans.
"Alive and well! Don’t worry… I didn’t swallow," she tweeted to her followers a day later (21 August).
Now, according to TikTok comments, it appears that Silverstone ate a Jerusalem Cherry, which can be very toxic.
Medline Plus notes that poisoning can occur by eating the fruit itself or the leaves of the cherry.
"The effects of Jerusalem cherry poisoning mostly affect the primarily gastrointestinal (often delayed 8 to 10 hours), and central nervous system," the site explains.
"This type of poisoning can be very dangerous. Other symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain or stomach pain
- Delirium (agitation and confusion)
- Diarrhoea
- Dilated pupils
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Loss of sensation
- Lower than normal body temperature (hypothermia)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Paralysis
- Shock
- Slow pulse
- Slowed breathing
- Vision changes
"The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery."
The 47-year-old made her movie debut in thriller The Crush back in 1993 and went on to appear in music videos for Aerosmith songs 'Cryin', 'Amazing' and 'Crazy'.
However, after starring in 1995 teen comedy Clueless, Silverstone became a household name, reportedly signing a multi-million dollar deal with Columbia Pictures.
She went on to play Batgirl in Batman & Robin, later receiving a Golden Globe nomination for her role in NBC series Miss Match in 2003.
Anish Vij