The Columbine is slightly poisonous
The Columbine or Aquilegia vulgaris, like all other plants in the buttercup family, is poisonous. Compared to other poisonous plants, it can be classified as slightly poisonous. Poisonings that ended in death are not yet known.
also read
- Columbine varieties - the color of the flowers is decisive here
- Transplanting an Columbine: Good Reasons and Approach
- Happy all round - the care of the columbine
The whole plant harbors toxins. The seeds that ripen between July and August stand out. They contain the highest levels of toxic substances. A glycoside that forms hydrogen cyanide and magnoflorine are toxic.
Symptoms of poisoning
If, through ignorance, you eat a columbine, symptoms of poisoning can occur. Just 20 to 30 g of fresh leaves (depending on body weight and condition) can lead to the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- nausea
- Vomit
- diarrhea
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- cramps
But the columbine is not only poisonous internally. Even if you come into skin contact with it, symptoms of poisoning such as skin irritation, redness and blisters can become noticeable. To prevent this, it is advisable to wear gloves when handling and especially when cutting the columbine.
Dried and heated non-toxic
The toxins can be made harmless. As soon as the columbine is dried or heated, the toxins evaporate. Therefore, the planted herbs can be harvested and used in tea mixtures or externally, for example as a poultice. It works against:
- rheumatism
- gout
- Indigestion
- Ulcers
- Abscesses
- Parasites
Tips & Tricks
Since Columbine tastes bitter, children or animals usually only consume small amounts of it or spit out the plant parts immediately.
