Is Forsythia Toxic to Humans, Cats & Other Pets?

Forsythia is a popular flowering shrub for domestic gardens due to the extraordinary luminosity of its yellow flowers. The plant is also called gold bells and comes from China. However, this is slightly poisonous, but is planted in many gardens out of ignorance. Symptoms of poisoning can occur in both humans and animals after eating or coming into contact with parts of the plant. Therefore, small children and young animals should be supervised when playing in the garden.

Contained toxins

The beautiful golden yellow flowers of the forsythia are lovely to smell and touch, but all parts of the plant contain toxins. For this reason, any handling should be enjoyed with caution. Animals usually keep away from the plant on their own and avoid contact. Children should be made aware that forsythia is poisonous and no part of the plant should be put in the mouth.

• Forsythia is slightly poisonous
• Fruits, leaves and seeds contain saponins and glycosides
• Flowers contain glycosides and essential oils

symptoms of poisoning

Saponins are nitrogenous steroids that are also found in small amounts in some vegetables, including peas, spinach, and tomatoes. For some animal species, these ingredients are completely incompatible. Saponins must not get directly into the bloodstream, since even small amounts of them have a blood-dissolving property and destroy the red blood cells. If some of the plant parts of the forsythia accidentally get into the human system, it is not really dangerous. Large amounts of the plant have to be consumed in order to become seriously ill.

• Consequences of consumption include discomfort and nausea
• Discomfort and pain in the stomach and intestines are also common
• In severe cases, diarrhea occurs

Measures for first aid

After touching the forsythia, it is advisable to wash your hands immediately afterwards. If parts of the plant are eaten, mild poisoning occurs in most cases. However, larger amounts of forsythia have to be consumed for the components it contains to have a seriously toxic effect on the human organism. This poisoning can be remedied by an increased intake of liquids, in this way the concentration of the ingredients in the body is diluted.

• Drink plenty of water, juice or herbal tea after eating
• Wash affected body parts with soap and water

Careful with care

Since the forsythia is slightly toxic in all its parts, skin contact should be avoided when pruning. The poison contained in it occurs mainly on the freshly cut surfaces. Smeared residues of the plant sap quickly lead to superficial irritations on the skin. In addition, neither children nor pets may get hold of these parts of the plant and accidentally poison themselves in this way.

• Recommended to wear gloves when cutting
• Do not put your hands on your face while gardening
• Then thoroughly clean all cutting tools
• Use high-proof alcohol for cleaning and disinfecting
• Dispose of cut plant parts safely
• Do not put in the compost heap

toxicity to animals

Forsythia is also only slightly toxic to dogs, cats and most other pets. However, puppies and kittens in particular like to nibble on the garden plants and then poison themselves. The native insects and birds stay completely away from the forsythia, so this flowering shrub is not useful for the ecological composition of the garden and for nature conservation.

• Do not leave young pets unsupervised in the garden
• Refrain from planting forsythia in households with pets

Conclusion

Although forsythia is only slightly toxic, symptoms of poisoning can still occur if it comes into contact with or is eaten. These can usually be remedied by increasing fluid intake. In serious emergencies, a doctor should be consulted. Gloves must be worn during maintenance work and skin contact must be avoided at all costs. If you are planning a new garden as a family with small children and also have young pets, you should completely avoid planting forsythia. Out of curiosity, they like to put everything in their mouths and nibble on it, which allows the toxins to enter the body. At least until the children are older and the animals are grown. If forsythia is already growing in the garden, children should always be warned to be careful when handling the flowering shrub.

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