A man in China was rushed to hospital after swallowing large quantities of bayberry seeds in the belief that they could help improve digestion, only to suffer a severe intestinal blockage.
The 48-year-old man, identified only by his surname Huang, was admitted to Tonglu Hospital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, after experiencing worsening abdominal pain and being unable to pass stool for two days.
According to local reports, Huang had grown up believing a traditional claim that bayberry seeds could help promote bowel movements and relieve constipation.
As a result, he had developed a habit of swallowing the seeds whole whenever he ate the fruit.
With bayberries currently in peak season, Huang reportedly consumed half a basket of the fruit by himself over a short period, swallowing every seed along the way.
Shortly afterwards, he began experiencing constipation, bloating and increasing abdominal discomfort.
His condition rapidly worsened over the next two days, with severe pain and an inability to pass stool despite repeated attempts.
Family members eventually called emergency services when the pain became unbearable and Huang started breaking out in cold sweats.
Doctors at the hospital were shocked by what they discovered during examinations.
Emergency physician Chen Fanghui said X-ray images revealed the patient’s intestines were packed with undigested bayberry seeds.
The scans showed hundreds of seeds clustered tightly together inside the lower digestive tract, creating a complete mechanical intestinal blockage.
“The X-ray was astonishing. The seeds had accumulated throughout the intestines like small stones and completely blocked the bowel,” Chen said.
Medical staff immediately began treatment, including enemas and other non-surgical procedures, which successfully cleared the obstruction and spared Huang from emergency surgery.
Doctors warned that swallowing large numbers of bayberry seeds can be dangerous because the hard shells are made of lignin and coarse fibre, which are difficult for the body to digest.
The seeds are also covered with fine fibres that can easily become entangled with food residue inside the digestive system.
When consumed in large quantities, the seeds can accumulate and become lodged in the rectum or intestines, potentially causing anal tears, bleeding, severe pain and bowel obstruction.
In more serious cases, doctors said the blockage can cut off blood supply to the intestines, leading to bowel necrosis or perforation, conditions that can become life-threatening if left untreated.
Medical experts have urged the public not to follow unverified home remedies and to seek proper medical advice for digestive issues instead of relying on traditional beliefs.
