Botanophobia Fear of plants
Plants are an essential part of nature because it provides us with the very building blocks of our existence. Plants are responsible for the oxygen we need to live, the food that we require, and earth will not exist without plants as these are the live blood of the planet. People who fear plants are often those who are knowledgeable of harmful plants and somehow this fear becomes generalised to include all plants dangerous and benign. This phobia called Botanophobia.
Of course, certain plants have toxic properties. An example would be the Strychnine tree produces the very dangerous chemical strychnine from its seeds and has been used historically to poison people such as in ancient Rome. Additionally, Poison ivy also causes a severe allergic reaction that can cause those who come into contact with it to become seriously ill or even die from anaphylaxis. The anxiety that plants can kill is a trigger for this phobia. There are also other plants may seem scary for some such as the carnivorous Venus Flytrap or the thorns of the cactus plant. A possible cause for Botanophobia may be that the sufferer might have accidentally have fallen on cacti or have fallen on a bed of roses and getting injured.
Persons with this phobia will avoid most if not all contact with plants and may well refuse to eat vegetables as well. Sufferers will exhibit the usual symptoms of anxiety when they see plants. They will prefer to stay indoors or will only go out in built up city areas where contact with plants will be highly limited.
Treatment includes behavioral psychotherapy and hypnotherapy.
