Is Ficus benjamini poisonous? Information for children, cats, dogs and birds

Ficus benjamini, in German usage as Weeping fig known, is a popular houseplant due to its air-purifying properties. It is quite undemanding in terms of maintenance, as long as the location and the room temperature are right, and its leaves provide an appealing aspect indoors all year round. Many people consider the plant harmless due to its inconspicuousness, but is that true? Is there a poisonous plant behind the weeping fig?

ingredients

In the case of the Ficus benjamini, which belongs to the mulberry family (bot. Moraceae), it is a plant that is classified as slightly poisonous. The reason for this are the various ingredients of the weeping fig, which provide information about the respective toxic properties and thus a better insight into the toxicity of the plant. The following substances must be examined more closely.

rubber

Rubber is a natural substance in numerous plants that can be found either in liquid or slightly solid form in the milky sap and has been used by humans for thousands of years. In itself, rubber would not be toxic and is even edible. The aroma is similar to that of sweet cream. However, natural rubber has proteins that make it dangerous for people who are allergic to rubber. It is a polymer within the group of polyterpenes, which belong to the secondary constituents of numerous living things and are often formed by plants. Because of this, they develop the proteins that can cause reactions in allergic people.

Flavonoids

Together with natural rubber, flavonoids are found in Ficus benjamini. Flavonoids are secondary plant substances that are used by many plants as effective protection against predators. They are particularly often used by flowering plants, where they are responsible for the color of the flowers. In Ficus benjamini, the flavonoids are mainly contained in the milk sap and provide an unpleasant bitter taste there, which is supposed to protect the weeping fig from predators. Together with the other ingredients, especially the furocoumarins, these have a negative effect on health.

Furocoumarins

The furocoumarins are another component of the milk juice, which is the most toxic ingredient of the plant. Furocoumarins are phytoalexins, special defense substances that are formed as secondary plant substances and protect the plant from diseases and pests such as fungi or bacteria. They are only released after violent treatment of the ficus benjamini, for example when you cut the growth and can easily get on the skin. Furocoumarins are toxic in several ways, but the toxicity is highest when the milky sap is exposed to UV radiation, for example sunlight. This can cause burns to the skin. Furocoumarins are also carcinogenic.

Natural resins

In most cases, these are not toxic parts of the plant.

White milky juice

All of these ingredients are found in white milky juice, because the ficus develops and leads to health problems after consumption. In itself, only the milky sap poses a possible danger on the part of the weeping fig, which is in the leaves, stems, shoots and roots. Incidentally, this toxicity is shared by the majority of ficus species, which is why, in general, neither the leaves nor other parts of the plant should be consumed with figs. When handling the plant, it should be ensured that it is not touched without gloves in order to prevent possible poisoning of the skin. In many cases, these represent the more serious health problem.

Tip: The only thing that is harmless about Ficus benjamini is the fruits, which are due to the local temperatures and Humidity, as well as the lack of special pollinators, are rarely developed in Germany or Central Europe can. However, if your specimen bears fruit, you can consume it without any problems, even if the aroma is not particularly tasty.

Effect on people

As described above, Ficus benjamini is poisonous and should therefore be handled with care and certainly not consumed. The toxic effect in adults can be noticed after just a few parts of the plant, apart from the fruits. The following symptoms can occur after consuming the leaves, roots or shoots.

• general nausea
• Vomit
• diarrhea

These symptoms are not life-threatening for adults and will subside after a while, even if larger amounts have been swallowed. Sensitive people and children, however, can suffer severely from the latex and suffer the same symptoms with a higher intensity. Children in particular lose moisture and weight quickly through vomiting and diarrhea. A big advantage of the Ficus: Children don't like the bitter taste. Even if you get one of the leaves in your mouth, just touching your tongue is enough to put children off. Nevertheless, the furocoumarins can leak out of the plant and cause the following damage if they are touched under sunlight.

• Skin burns
• Blistering
• Reddening of the skin
• severe scarring
• Swelling
• other lesions
• Photopigmentation
• Frequent touching increases the risk of developing cancer, especially skin cancer

For this reason, Ficus benjamini should never be trimmed or touched with the hand, short-sleeved tops or protective goggles. This is especially true when the plant is exposed to a lot of UV radiation, even from lamps. Natural rubber is also not toxic, but dangerous for allergy sufferers. Many people do not know that they are allergic to rubber. The severity of an allergic reaction ranges from simple reddening of the skin to a dangerous anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal if not treated. For this reason, you should be careful not to let your children near the weeping fig.

Tip: Rubber allergies are higher in people who work a lot with gloves, for example doctors. They should wear rubber-free gloves when handling the plant.

Effect on cats, dogs

Ficus benjamini is particularly toxic to dogs and cats. The plant is even highly toxic for pets, including rodents and small animals. Cats in particular run the risk of poisoning themselves on the leaves, because like children they explore their world with their mouths. For this reason, they like to nibble on leaves and flowers of plants, which can immediately lead to severe poisoning. Rodents also have this problem, dogs less often.

The following symptoms occur when it is consumed:

• general nausea
• Vomit
• diarrhea
• Irritation of the mucous membranes
• Cramps in the abdomen
• cramps
• Signs of paralysis
• Shortness of breath

Depending on how many leaves have been eaten, Ficus benjamini can even be fatal for the animals. Also, be careful with dogs that they do not use branches of the weeping fig to play or as a chew toy. This means that toxins also get into the organism. Because of their fur, animals usually do not have a problem with the furocoumarins. Of course, a Sphinx cat should not rub against the plant and then lie in the sun.

Effect on birds

Birds should also not go near the Ficus benjamini, as the concentration of toxins is too high for the birds. You shouldn't even use the branches or leaves to build nests as this could negatively affect their health.

Typical symptoms:

• Redness of the skin
• Skin burns
• Irritation of the gastrointestinal tract

However, the strength differs depending on the species of birds. Native birds are usually more affected by the ingredients of the weeping fig than birds that come from the original range in East Asia and northern Australia.