AT A GLANCE
Is the angel's trumpet edible?
Eating angel trumpets is extremely dangerous because all parts of the plant contain toxic substances such as alkaloids. Even the consumption of small amounts can lead to severe symptoms of poisoning such as hallucinations, respiratory paralysis and, in the worst case, death.
Can you eat an angel's trumpet?
The angel's trumpet (Brugmansia) is one of the most poisonous ornamental plants to be found in gardens, conservatories and living spaces. All parts of the plant contain a dangerous cocktail of toxic substances. These include various alkaloids, which can cause serious poisoning symptoms with fatal consequences even in small amounts. The highest concentration of poison is in the seeds and roots.
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Touching an angel's trumpet or sniffing the fragrant flowers is enough to absorb the toxins. The most serious health consequences occur when adults, children or animals eat from the flowers, leaves and fruits of an angel's trumpet.
What are the effects of eating angel's trumpet?
With a sensually fragrant bloom, the angel's trumpet belies its insidious poison content. Unfortunately, the flowers, fruits and seeds taste aromatic to sweet. There is a great danger that children or ignorant adults will eat from an angel's trumpet and have to pay for it with this effect:
- First signs: dilated pupils, speech disorders, difficulty swallowing, reddening of the skin.
- Symptoms of poisoning: nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, tachycardia.
- From 2 hours after consumption: hallucinations, fits of rage, frenzy, self-mutilation.
- After an overdose: unconsciousness, coma, respiratory paralysis, cardiac arrest, death.
- Lethal dose for children: 15 to 20 seeds.
What to do if you are poisoned by angel's trumpet
If the first symptoms of angel trumpet poisoning appear, there is an urgent need for action. Try to remove as many parts of the plant from your mouth as possible. Give the patient a glass of still water to drink, but no milk or salt water. Never try to induce vomiting. Please bring an unconscious patient into the stable side position.
Notify the emergency services/emergency doctor. Describe "Who? About what? How? How much? When?” In order for the doctors treating you to be able to unequivocally identify the cause of the poisoning, give the emergency services bagged parts of the plant.
What does the angel's trumpet look like?
Despite their strong toxicity, the cultivation of angel's trumpets as ornamental plants is not forbidden. For this reason, concerned parents and pet owners familiarize themselves with the appearance of the poisonous plant. Brugmansia are easy to recognize by these characteristics:
The angel's trumpet is a South American nightshade plant that blooms in abundance from July to October. In Central Europe, the frost-sensitive plant thrives as a 2 m to 3 m tall, spreading large shrub. The plant name refers to the up to 45 cm long, hanging calyx flowers in multi-faceted Colors. The ovate or elliptical leaves, which can be up to 25 cm in size, are striking Eye.
Tip
Intensive care unit instead of angel trumpet intoxication
A married couple in Aschaffenburg promised themselves a veritable intoxication from a home-brewed tea made from angel's trumpet blossoms. Instead of the hoped-for high mood, hallucinations, delusions and unconsciousness set in after drinking the tea. The hell trip led the reckless drug users straight to the hospital.