If someone licks tree sap, they may experience a variety of reactions. The most immediate reaction is likely to be an unpleasant taste in the mouth as well as irritation and burning sensations on the tongue and throat due to VOCs present in some types of tree sap.
Additionally, there can also be stomach upset or nausea from ingesting these compounds, along with possible breathing difficulties if enough is ingested.
In terms of long-term effects, licking tree sap could lead to decay and cavities due to its sticky nature, which usually contains sugar that attracts ants or other insects.
It could even trigger an allergic reaction for those who are sensitive, resulting in difficulty breathing (anaphylaxis) requiring medical attention right away. For all these reasons, it’s best not to lick any kind of tree saps, no matter how tempting!