Is the ranunculus poisonous? Dangers to children, dogs and cats

the Ranunculus or Asiatic buttercup (bot. Ranunculus asiaticus) is a popular ornamental plant from the species-rich family of buttercups (bot. Ranunculaceae). The spring bloomer is planted in gardens and parks because of its large flowers that are reminiscent of hybrid tea roses, but can also be cultivated as a balcony or houseplant. There are now several hundred cultivars of buttercups from Asia, but all of them are poisonous for both humans and animals.

How poisonous are ranunculus?

Even if the delicate flower heads blooming in splendid colors are reminiscent of edible roses: like all buttercups, they contain ranunculus toxic glycosides of the amygdalin type, which also includes hydrocyanic acid, for example. The toxin protoanemonin or ranunculol, which is typical for all representatives of the buttercup family, is particularly effective. This has a caustic effect and is released as a result of an injury to the plant - for example by picking, tearing off or cutting off parts of the plant.

Protoanemonin occurs in all parts of the plant, but mainly in the rhizomes as well as in the leaves and blossoms. As soon as these have been dried (for example after mowing a meadow) the toxin loses its effect, as this process converts it into non-toxic anemonine.

tip: Do not confuse the ranunculus with the yellow flowering ranunculus (bot. Kerria japonica)! In contrast to the buttercup family, the Kerrie, which belongs to the rose family, also known as golden rose or Japanese golden rose is called, only the seeds are poisonous.

risk groups

The ranunculus is particularly dangerous for small children and pets such as cats, dogs and smaller rodents such as rabbits and guinea pigs. The younger the child or animal, the more likely they are to try the brightly colored flowers or other easily accessible parts of the plant due to their curiosity and inexperience. As a result, poisoning may occur, which as a rule is rarely life-threatening.

The ranunculus are slightly poisonous due to the low content of protoanemonin, so that one would have to eat extremely large quantities for severe or fatal poisoning. This is unlikely because of the pungent, bitter taste of the plant. Small animals - such as rodents or cats - only need small amounts due to their low body weight of the toxin, so that in rare cases deaths from respiratory failure and circulatory failure have been reported became.

Note: The buttercup plant is also problematic for horses: Even a small piece of root is enough for the animal to die of respiratory paralysis.

people

Anyone who has eaten part of the tuber or above-ground parts of the plant such as leaves and flowers must expect symptoms of poisoning. The contained toxins influence - depending on your constitution, body weight and intake - the nervous system, and the body tries to get rid of the harmful substances.

Symptoms

The following symptoms may occur as a result of ranunculus poisoning:

• Nausea, often with vomiting and / or diarrhea
• Spasms in the gastrointestinal tract
• increased salivation
• dizziness
• Tremble
• Signs of paralysis
• headache
• Bleeding, especially from the mucous membranes
• increased sweating
• Fainting

Not all of the listed complaints have to occur at the same time, usually only between one to four or five of the symptoms mentioned. Since these are also unspecific symptoms, behind which there are other health problems If the consumption of ranunculus has not been observed, the sick person should be questioned will. In addition, attention must be paid to the components of vomit, which should contain parts of the poisonous ranunculus, such as pieces of flowers or leaves, if poisoning is suspected.

Buttercup dermatitis

Since the toxin ranunculol is released when the plant is damaged, for example when cutting ranunculus (e. B. as cut flowers for the vase) in people with sensitive skin also show signs of poisoning on the skin or mucous membranes. This manifests itself as itching, reddening or, in more severe cases, by the formation of blisters. Doctors also refer to this external poisoning as meadow or buttercup dermatitis.

First aid

If your child has tasted the poisonous buttercups and is now feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable. show one or more of the signs of intoxication described above, the best way to help him is according to the following schedule:

• Poison Control Center to contact
• Give plenty of water (non-carbonated!) or tea to drink
• thereby dilution of the absorbed toxins
• no milk!
• Never make the affected person vomit
• If you vomit, make sure that the vomit is not inhaled
• Give charcoal tablets to bind toxins
• See a pediatrician or family doctor

So that it doesn't get that far in the first place, show your children which plants in the garden and home are poisonous and explain to them what can happen if they are consumed. In addition, always keep an eye on or Do not even plant dangerous plants.

animals

The symptoms of poisoning in animals are similar to those in humans. Whether and how strong the signs of ranunculus poisoning appear depends on the amount consumed and the weight of the animal: A small dog with you only two to four kilograms of weight reacts to the same ingested amount with certainty more violently than a large specimen weighing 40 or 50 kilograms Body mass.

Symptoms

The first indication of possible poisoning is increased drinking, especially in dogs. Other typical symptoms of poisoning are:

• Apathy / indifference
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhea and / or vomiting, possibly bloody
• increased salivation
• Tremors and / or convulsions
• Coordination problems: The animal is wobbly, constantly falling down
• pale to blue discolored mucous membranes
• increased heart rate
• shock
• Impotence and even death

Please note that here, too, not all signs have to appear at once. Instead, depending on the degree of poisoning, only certain characteristics are shown.

First aid

In the event of poisoning, the following are the best ways to help your pet:

• give plenty of water to drink
• Give charcoal tablets to bind toxins
• Keep animal warm with blankets
• be careful not to choke on vomit
• Immediately take to the vet at the veterinary clinic

tip: Pets like to nibble on plants, even if these, like ranunculus, are poisonous! Cats and dogs that are mainly kept in apartments often no longer have an instinctive warning system to keep them away from poisonous plants. Therefore, in a cat or In dog households, only harmless plants should be cultivated if possible.

Ranunculus as a medicinal plant?

In ancient times, dried buttercups were sometimes used in folk medicine to treat Skin diseases (especially warts) as well as classic widespread diseases such as rheumatism or arthritis used. Such information can still be found on the Internet today, which is why many people seeking advice are confused about the actual toxicity of the plant.

In fact, experts today advise against a medicinal use of the perennial, as the hoped-for effect is most likely will not occur - after all, buttercups are poisonous, which is why there are dangers such as the listed symptoms of poisoning threaten. There are much better and non-toxic herbal alternatives for the diseases mentioned.

Note: Please note that this article does not in any way replace a visit to the doctor. There is no guarantee that medical statements are correct.
You will find detailed information on first aid in the event of poisoning and important information on poison control centers here.