1. Cause Vomiting
Cases of black locust poisoning are infrequent in humans. The flowers are sometimes used in teas to treat headaches, nausea and stomachaches. If a poisonous amount has been taken, the first step is to get the black locust out of the victim's system immediately. Remove any leaves or bark from the victim's mouth. If he is conscious and breathing, stick your finger down his throat to induce vomiting. This is most effective within a few hours of taking the black locust, when it is still in his stomach.
2. Take Samples With You
If you have to take someone to the hospital for black locust poisoning, try to find samples of the plant to take with you. Doctors will want to know what the cause of the sickness is, and pesticides on the plant may cause illness as much as the actual toxins in the plant. If you have the plant nearby and can collect samples easily, place it in a plastic bag before handling it.
3. Stay Hydrated
Black locust poisoning typically results in vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. In and of themselves, those symptoms are rarely fatal, but they could lead to dehydration as your body loses large amounts of water. Drink plenty of clear liquids in slow, steady sips. If you can't swallow, try sucking on small cubes of ice. Avoid beverages with caffeine in them (since caffeine is a diuretic), and stay away from alcoholic beverages (which will dehydrate you).
4. Take Activated Charcoal
Hospitals use activated charcoal to nullify a large number of toxins in the body. It is available without a prescription and can be taken fairly readily. It bonds with the poisons from the black locust and keeps the body from absorbing them, allowing them to be processed and removed as waste. Don't take activated charcoal until at least 30 minutes after any vomiting has stopped: it won't do any good if you throw it back up.
5. Consider Gastric Lavage
Gastric lavage may not be necessary for black locust poisoning, but a hospital might consider it in extreme cases. It flushes the poison out of the system by running a hose down into the victim's stomach and squirting water gently and steadily through it. Only a trained doctor should administer gastric lavage.
