Again and again the question arises whether the beautiful Christmas roses are poisonous for humans and animals. We're investigating the rumor of the poisonous Christmas rose.
The evergreens christmas roses (Helleborus niger) are very popular in domestic gardens. They also make a floral winter decoration as a potted plant on the balcony or terrace wonderful, because they open their flowers when many other plants are in hibernation are located. You may have thought about buying a Christmas rose, but were unsure because you heard that Christmas roses are poisonous. In this article we will clarify whether there is any truth to this rumor and whether Christmas roses are actually poisonous.
It is anticipated that Christmas roses are actually poisonous. However, this does not speak fundamentally against planting in your own garden. In the following we will go into why Christmas roses can be dangerous for humans and animals. We will also inform you about the precautionary measures to be taken and how best to proceed in the event of poisoning.
contents
- Are Christmas roses poisonous to humans?
- Are Christmas roses poisonous for cats, dogs and Co.?
- Treatment options for poisoning with Christmas roses
Are Christmas roses poisonous to humans?
Yes, Christmas roses are poisonous to humans and therefore unfit for human consumption. Responsible for this are various toxic ingredients such as saponins and the buttercup plants (Ranunculaceae) occurring protoanemonin. in the genus Helleborus In addition, there is the cardiac toxin Helleborin and the steroid saponin Hellebrin, which has a strong heart effect. Like the cardiac glycosides of the foxgloves (digitalis) acts.
In principle, all parts of the Christmas rose plant are poisonous. However, the highest concentration of Helleborin is found in the rootstock, so that poisoning by snow roses - as Christmas roses are also called - are rarely observed. However, eating ripe seed pods can also cause severe poisoning. However, it is not recommended today to use it as an emetic and laxative, for which it was used in folk medicine in ancient times.
Tip from the pro: When gardening, escaping plant juices can lead to skin irritation. Therefore, always wear gloves when handling Christmas roses and do not touch your face while gardening.
Are Christmas roses poisonous for cats, dogs and Co.?
Yes, Christmas roses are also poisonous for animals. Interestingly enough, the name "Eberwurz", by which the Christmas rose is also known, dates back to the 17th century. Century. At that time, the Christmas rose was used in veterinary medicine as a remedy for coughs, poisoning and swine fever. To do this, a hole was pierced in the animal's ear, and a piece of Christmas rose root was stuck through it for one day and one night. However, this method has been abandoned today.
Horses can come into contact with the Christmas rose fresh on the pasture or dried in the hay. They react to the poisonous plant with heart problems, which in the worst case can lead to death. Among pets, puppies and young cats are particularly at risk, as they may ingest the poisonous seeds and roots out of curiosity. If your pet vomits, has diarrhea or shows increased salivation, you should consider poisoning with the poisonous Christmas rose. Other signs can be cramps, lack of body control, changed breathing rate or a change in the pupil.
At the latest when you notice the first signs of paralysis in your animal, you should consult a veterinarian. If you can still see parts of plants, be sure to take them with you. This way, the vet will know more quickly what type of poisoning it is. As a precautionary measure, it is advisable to plan Christmas roses in the garden design only when animals remain out of reach. If you are a cat owner, Christmas roses are also not suitable as a houseplant in the house or apartment.
Treatment options for poisoning with Christmas roses
Helleborus-Poisoning is rare, but not impossible. Especially with small children, the effects should not be underestimated. Symptoms of poisoning here are dizziness and collapse. But scratching in the mouth and throat, increased salivation, gastrointestinal problems or dilated pupils also indicate poisoning.
As a first aid measure, the immediate administration of medicinal charcoal is recommended. After that, the vital functions must be checked constantly, an emergency call made and contact made with a poison control center.
More information about Buying and caring for Christmas roses can be found in our special article.