Content
- The ragwort is not dangerous for humans
- How toxic is the herb really?
- The warmer the more toxic
- Danger to humans
- Tips
Ragwort is poisonous to humans only when consumed
The ragwort is not dangerous for humans
Actually, the St. Jacobs herb with its widely visible yellow flowers is an attractive plant. While not the toxic ingredients, many animals but also humans can be dangerous.
How toxic is the herb really?
Jakobsgreiskraut contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are metabolized in the liver to toxic substances. Horses and pigs, but also cattle are particularly sensitive to these substances. As the herb spreads more and more, it also poses a not to be underestimated danger to humans. In milk and honey, the toxic substances, for which there is currently no single limit, have already been detected.
The warmer the more toxic
The poisonous substances of the Jakombs Crab vary from plant to plant and are detectable in around 500 structures with different properties. The spectrum of action on animals and humans ranges from innocuous to absolutely toxic. A ragwort, which thrives at an altitude of the Alps, can be completely harmless, while one that grows in the lowlands is highly toxic. In principle, however, it can be said that the warmer the area in which the ragwort grows, the more toxic it is.
Danger to humans
A poisoning with ragwort can go unnoticed for a long time, because initially no clear symptoms occur. The toxins are metabolized in the liver and have long-term toxicity. Experts are of the opinion that the increasing number of liver diseases is also due to the high number of unrecognized cases of cross-pollinated human poisoning.
Unlike known poisonous plants such as the belladonna poisoning with Jacob's Girdle occurs creeping over a longer period. The toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids have liver damage even in the smallest amounts and are carcinogenic. If a large amount of red ragweed is inadvertently ingested, it will cause liver failure within a few days.
Tips
As has been proven in the meantime, German honey has no or only very small amounts of ragweed alkaloids. However, it makes sense to get the honey from a well-known source and to make sure that this beekeeper does not have his sticks in the vicinity of Jacob's Ragweed stocks.