table of contents
- Essential oils
- Dangerous for children & pets?
- Poisonous variety
- frequently asked Questions
In which Cranesbill it is a plant that is very popular on balconies, terraces and gardens at home. Because there are many richly blooming species of this. This also raises the question of whether the cranesbill is poisonous.
In a nutshell
- Cranesbill (geranium) is often better known as geranium
- many different varieties and types
- Just as popular as balcony flowers as in the garden bed
- usually not toxic
- contains essential oils that can cause skin irritation
Essential oils
In the plants of the various species of Geraniums contains many essential oils, which also give off the strong smell, especially when the leaves are touched. However, this smell is very unpleasant for many people, so that the plants are reluctant to be touched:
- Geraniol
- Caffeic acid
- Kaempferol
- Quercetin
- Rutin
Tip: Due to the many essential oils, the cork's bill is used, for example, for external bruises and toothache.
Dangerous for children & pets?
Since the cranesbills of all species are usually not poisonous, there is also no risk to children or pets in terms of poisoning. The plants usually avoid these because of the unpleasant smell. However, because of the essential oils, skin irritations can occasionally occur in very sensitive people, regardless of whether adults or children and adolescents:
- so-called contact dermatitis
- slight allergic reaction
- slight itching in the affected area
- slight reddening of the skin
- Cream against insect bites helps
- usually contains antihistamines
Note: The plants from the geranium family are used in many schools and schools precisely because of their non-toxicity Kindergartens are valued as plants and are even considered unproblematic by the state's chambers of agriculture recommended.
Poisonous variety
There is a poisonous variety among the geraniums, this is a wild plant that is usually not found in the home gardens and on the balconies:
- Meadow cranesbill
- only poisonous for European hamsters
- However, animals usually avoid the plant
- has a very intense odor
- is therefore very reluctant to eat
frequently asked Questions
No, nothing usually happens in such a case. Above all, however, the intense, and for many people unpleasant smell when touched, prevents them Keep touching the plant or even the leaves or flowers in your mouth to take.
The well-known geranium varieties that are cultivated in the garden or balcony are non-toxic varieties that can even be used in the kitchen, the flowers of which decorate a salad, for example can. There is also a variety that is edible overall. This is Ruprecht's herb (Geranium robertianum L.) also known as Stinkender Storchenschnabel, which is native to the local latitudes and grows wild. The leaves are often collected and used as a herb in cooking.
You should not do this under any circumstances, because not only the wild geranium variety is poisonous for them European hamsters, even your own rodents, cannot tolerate the oils, they act like poison for them Rodents. For adults, children, dogs and cats, the plants are completely harmless and non-toxic except for the slight allergic reaction that could occur.