Is Forsythia Toxic? Useful information for children and pets

The forsythia is a popular ornamental shrub which, with its bright yellow flowers, is one of the first heralds of spring in March. The flowering branches of forsythia decorate many homes during Easter and are often hung with colored eggs. This attracts the interest of many small children to the beautiful forsythia branches, which seem to usher in warmer days with their sunny yellow color.

Forsythia

But it is often reported that the yellow flowering branches are very poisonous and could be dangerous for children. This is a common misconception. It comes from the fact that many people believe that forsythia and laburnum are one and the same plant. In fact, however, forsythia is nicknamed golden bells, while laburnum is a completely different plant. Laburnum is highly poisonous. Its poison is particularly concentrated in the seeds. But what about forsythia? Concerned parents and pet owners can find out here whether this plant can also be a danger to children or pets, or whether it is safe to decorate gardens and homes with it.

origin

What is an ornament for the garden should not pose a threat to the child and the pet

The European garden forsythia is a type of Asian forsythia cultivated in temperate climates with the botanical name Forsythia. The plant, which comes from China, is often used as an ornamental shrub in our latitudes. It is also known as the gold bell or gold lilac. Together with other ornamental shrubs and flowering plants, it adorns borders and lawns. If a garden was created before the child, dog or cat completed the family, it should be checked again whether it is under the existing ones colorful and decorative plants and shrubs are those that are dangerous to the health and well-being of children and pets could. Is the popular golden bell one of those questionable plants that should be replaced, or can the whole family enjoy it?

Toxicity

Factors that determine whether forsythia is toxic or harmless

Saponins and other glycosides are found in the various parts of the golden bell plant. However, saponins are also part of the ingredients of numerous vegetable plants such as spinach, tomatoes and peas. They are harmless to humans, but are incompatible with some animal species. However, this does not apply to pets such as dogs and cats, so that they can be kept in gardens that are decorated with the gold bells without hesitation. Animals for which the substances the plant contains could be dangerous are birds and insects. They stay away from the laburnum. In addition to glycosides, its flowers also contain various essential oils.

Plant parts

Suitable for the garden due to the low toxicity

The scientific answer to whether the gold bell is life-threatening for children is no. The plant is poisonous to a small extent. This affects all of its parts. The toxicity is so low that gold bells are wonderfully suitable for a family garden, as they are harmless to the offspring and pets. In addition, their beautiful sight is an enrichment for the home paradise.

Toxins

When to exercise caution and which parts of the plant are affected

The golden bell is slightly poisonous in the leaves, fruits and seeds, since all these parts contain saponins and glycosides. The yellow flowers also contain glycosides and essential oils. It is not known how many plant parts of the golden bell are affected after consumption. Possible symptoms of poisoning after swallowing large amounts of seeds, fruits, leaves or flowers are malaise with nausea, abdominal pain and possibly diarrhea.

Poisonous effect

The effect of the herbal ingredients

The consumption of large amounts of seeds, fruits, leaves or flowers can lead to discomfort with nausea, stomach pain and possibly diarrhea. Flavonoids such as rutin and quercetin are found in the flowers of the plant. In herbal medicine, rutin is known as an important active ingredient for the relief of vein problems (venous edema). As a rule, however, it is used with buckwheat herb, as the golden bell only has a small proportion of the medicinal substance.

prevention

Tips & Tricks

Children should be warned against eating the plant. Parents can point out that they should not be tempted by the golden yellow color of the flowers to eat them. It is generally advisable to teach children never to swallow parts of plants that they are not familiar with. In this way, it can be ruled out that stomach upset or other mild symptoms of intoxication occur. However, in spite of all caution, small children should consume larger amounts after consuming If parts of the plant have symptoms, the administration of liquids such as water and tea can alleviate them completely let it subside. Serving ripe bananas or eating bitter chocolate can also be helpful if you have an upset stomach with diarrhea.

Sources:

• University of Bonn

https://www.aktuell.uni-bonn.de/forsythien.-die-pflanze-des-monats-dezember

• Information center against poisoning Bonn

http://www.gizbonn.de/105.0.html?&no_cache=1&sword_list%5B%5D=forsythie