Content
- Magnolia is only slightly toxic to humans - but dangerous for animals
- Magnolia contains alkaloid Magnoflorin
- Edible petals and magnolias in medicine
- Magnolia is poisonous to small animals
- Tips & Tricks
Magnolia is only slightly toxic to humans - but dangerous for animals
Many people are uncertain about the toxicity of the beautiful-looking magnolia. Be calm, however, because the tree is only slightly toxic to humans and animals.
Magnolia contains alkaloid Magnoflorin
In particular, the bark and the wood of magnolia contain the alkaloid Magnoflorin, which is harmless to humans and at most causes slight symptoms of intoxication. Poisoning would cause eczema on the skin and mucous membranes and, in severe cases, convulsions. For this you would have to nibble on the bark or a little bit of wood nibble. The probability for this is likely to be low. However, the rule is that hybrids are more toxic than the traditional magnolia cultivars that have been cultivated for centuries to thousands of years in China and East Asia.
Edible petals and magnolias in medicine
In the Chinese imperial era, the Empress had the privilege to taste a very exclusive dish: Kross in a loose dough baked petals magnolia species "Magnolia cylindrica" or "Magnolia hedyosperma". Both species are found only in China, but are now on the Red List of endangered species. In addition, flower buds and the bark of some Magnolia species are traditionally used as a remedy. In traditional Chinese medicine, the bark of Magnolia officinalis provides the basis for a sedative. The Native Americans used the bark of the evergreen magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) against the intermittent fever.
Magnolia is poisonous to small animals
Although the weak poison of magnolia is harmless to humans, it can cause great problems for small animals - even if they do not necessarily end in death. In particular, rabbits and cats are at risk if they nibble too often on the bark. Leaves and flowers on the other hand seem to be harmless, they also contain only negligible amounts of the toxic alkaloid.
Tips & Tricks
As a precaution, sensitive people should wear gloves during cutting and other care work, so that the poison can not reach the skin or the mucous membranes.