How toxic is thimble to humans, dogs and cats?

The foxglove (digitalis) is really pretty to look at during its flowering. It prefers to grow lush in sparse forests. However, it has also become a popular ornamental plant in recent years. Therefore, the decorative plants have already become at home in many gardens. Especially when they are in bloom, they enchant you with their thimble-like flowers in purple, white or yellow. However, care should be taken when handling these plants because they are as dangerous as they are beautiful.

Poisonous Plant of the Year 2007

The most common representative of the family of Plantain family is the “red foxglove” (Digitalis purpurea) in this country. It is a biennial plant. In the first year, only alternating, ovate to lanceolate basal leaves with a notched leaf margin appear in a rosette on the ground. They can reach a length of 20 centimeters and are hairy tomentose on the underside of the leaves.

It is only in the second year that a flower stalk up to 150 centimeters high with alternate leaves grows out of the leaf rosette. Between June and August, bell-shaped tubular flowers appear at the end of the stem, clustered together in a cluster. The flower color ranges from purple to white to yellow. Countless fine black seeds are formed in the flower capsules. In order to avoid self-sowing, this should be removed before maturity, otherwise the plants can grow wild very quickly.

Even if these decorative plants are a real eye-catcher in the garden individually or planted in groups, they have it all. All parts of the plant are highly toxic not only to humans, but also to dogs, cats and other animals. In 2007 the foxglove was therefore voted poisonous plant of the year.

Note: Due to the similarity of the leaves, there is a risk of confusion with borage and comfrey. The mullein also shares some common characteristics before flowering.

Leaves most poisonous

In the foxglove, all parts of the plant are poisonous. However, the stems and leaves contain the highest concentration of toxins. It does not mean that the seeds and flowers are any less dangerous to health. Toxic substances are also present here. Consumption can in any case have a fatal effect.

All parts of the plant mainly contain digitalis and digitoxin. These toxins affect the heart's rhythm. Depending on the dose absorbed, cardiac arrest and, in the worst case, death can occur more or less quickly.

The concentration of toxins in the individual parts of the plant fluctuates depending on the time of day and season. The values ​​can fluctuate between 0.1 and 1.0 percent, whereby the concentration in the afternoon is much higher than in the morning.

Note: Although the leaves are poisonous, they find topical use in the form of poultices to promote wound healing.

Small dose is sufficient

The poisonous thimble must always be handled carefully. Even touching the plant with bare hands can quickly lead to skin irritation. It is therefore advisable to wear gloves when working with these crops. Of course, we strongly advise against consuming individual parts of the plant. Since they are all poisonous, depending on the level of the ingested toxins, it can lead to lighter poisoning and in the worst case to death.

In an adult human, even 2.5 grams of leaves can be deadly. In other words, two leaves of the thimble are enough to die of cardiac arrest. For children and babies, a very low dosage is sufficient. The flowers and leaves pose a particular danger to children. These can be quickly put in your mouth while playing. There is also a risk from bees or bumblebees, which like to cavort in the flowers.

Toxic to animals

Not only for humans, but also for cats, dogs and other animals such as hamsters, rabbits, birds and horses, the foxglove can be fatal if eaten. So can already

• for horses 25 grams of dried leaves or 100 to 200 grams of fresh leaves and
• for large dogs, 5 grams of dried leaves

lead to death. Sometimes digitalis poisoning is usually recognized far too late, so that any help comes too late. Therefore, the animals should always be closely observed in order to see the veterinarian immediately at the first conspicuous signs.

Note: The poison of the thimble is not deadly for all animals. Bumblebees, bees, butterflies and wasps are immune to digitalis glycosides. They like to visit the flowers of these plants and love the nectar.

Recognize poisoning early

Depending on the amount of poison ingested, it can result in slight poisoning or death. It is therefore imperative to watch out for symptoms after contact with digitalis. These can be

• Nausea and vomiting
• bloody, watery diarrhea
• Visual disturbance and staggering
• Drowsiness and hallucinations
• pale, irritated mucous membranes
• Tremors and paralysis

These signs can indicate digitalis poisoning, but they also occur with other forms of poisoning. Typical for poisoning by the poison of the thimble are also a reduced pulse rate below 50 beats per minute. This can then suddenly drop to 20 pulse beats per minute. At the same time the blood pressure rises. Eventually, cardiac arrhythmias occur and, without medical help, inevitably death from cardiac arrest.

A doctor should be consulted at the first signs. This applies to humans and animals. At this moment, every minute makes the difference between life and death. In the event of vomiting, this should be taken along, as well as any parts of the plant that may be present. As first aid on site, the person affected should be given plenty of fluids in the form of water.

Tip: If small children and pets live in the household, they should be denied free access to foxgloves. The best thing to do is to banish these plants from the garden at home.

Digitalis as medicine

Even in ancient times people knew about the poisonous, but also healing properties of the thimble. At that time he was known as "Frairie's Herb". It was used to treat so-called "bewitched" children, which usually ended fatally. Later in the Middle Ages it was used as an emetic and laxative, sometimes with fatal consequences. It was not until 1786 that William Withering, a Scot, finally discovered the strengthening of the heart.

Today the red foxglove is mainly used in the production of medical digitalis preparations by isolating the toxic digitalis glycosides. Digitalis is poisonous, but at the same time it tones and strengthens the heart. When used, the heart muscle is strengthened and the heartbeat is influenced. Areas of application are included

• Angina pectoris
• Heart failure
• Cardiac arrhythmias and
• Racing heart

Such agents may only be taken under medical supervision. You should strictly refrain from trying it yourself, because precise dosing is quite difficult. The line between a healing and a deadly effect is very narrow here.