Poison Garden Plants

Aconitum napellus - Monkshood "Queen of Poisons" *

Aconitum toxicity is typically only seen with the misuse of traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

Aconitum napellus, commonly known as Monkshood or Wolf's Bane, is a highly toxic plant found within the Poison Garden.

Native to Europe and Asia, Aconitum napellus contains a number of poisonous alkaloids, including aconitine, which can cause cardiac arrest and death if ingested in sufficient quantities.

All parts of the plant, particularly the roots and seeds, are toxic and should not be handled or consumed. Even small amounts of the plant can cause tingling, numbness, and paralysis of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Despite its toxicity, Aconitum napellus has a long history of medicinal use in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, where it has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including pain and fever.

In addition to its medicinal uses, Aconitum napellus has also been used as a poison throughout history, particularly in ancient Rome, where it was used to execute criminals.

Visitors to the Poison Garden are reminded to exercise caution and to not touch or ingest any part of Aconitum napellus. If you suspect that you or someone else has come into contact with the plant, seek medical attention immediately.

Foxglove

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a beautiful but highly poisonous plant found within the Poison Garden.

Native to Europe, foxglove contains a number of toxic compounds, including digitalis, which can cause cardiac arrhythmia, vomiting, hallucinations, and even death if ingested in sufficient quantities.

Despite its toxicity, foxglove has been used in medicine for centuries. The plant's extract has been used to treat heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure, as well as for its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, due to the plant's narrow therapeutic window and the potential for toxicity, medical use of foxglove is carefully controlled and monitored.

In addition to its medicinal uses, foxglove has also been used as a poison throughout history, particularly in the Middle Ages, where it was used as a means of assassination and to induce visions during shamanic rituals.

Visitors to the Poison Garden are reminded to exercise caution and to not touch or ingest any part of the foxglove plant. If you suspect that you or someone else has come into contact with the plant, seek medical attention immediately.

Lupine (Lupinus) *

Lupine contains a variety of toxic alkaloids, including lupinine, anagyrine, and sparteine. Ingesting any part of the plant, especially the seeds and pods, can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, and even respiratory failure in severe cases.

Please do not touch or consume any part of the Lupine plant. If you believe you or someone you know has come into contact with Lupine, seek medical attention immediately.

Poppy

Poppies (Papaver spp.) are beautiful flowering plants found within the Poison Garden. While poppies have a long history of use in medicine and recreation, caution should be exercised when handling and consuming these plants.

Opium poppies (Papaver somniferum) are known for their production of opium, a highly addictive narcotic that can cause respiratory failure and death if ingested in large amounts. Opium is also the precursor to several other drugs, including morphine, codeine, and heroin.

In addition to opium, poppies also contain a number of toxic compounds, including alkaloids such as morphine and codeine, which can cause drowsiness, confusion, and respiratory depression if ingested in large amounts.

While poppy seeds, which come from the poppy plant's seed pods, are generally considered safe for consumption, it is important to note that they can sometimes contain trace amounts of opium and other alkaloids. As such, individuals who are subject to drug testing or who are taking certain medications should exercise caution when consuming poppy seeds.

Overall, while poppies are beautiful plants with a long history of use in medicine and recreation, visitors to the Poison Garden are reminded to exercise caution and to not touch or ingest any part of the poppy plant without proper medical guidance. If you suspect that you or someone else has come into contact with poppies, seek medical attention immediately.

Oleander nerium (variety Austin Pretty Limits purchased from Home Depot)

Oleander toxicity requires ingestion of plant material.

From University of Utah Health website

Oleander Toxicity

There are numerous natural sources of cardioactive steroids, or cardiac glycosides, in addition to the well-known foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and the pharmaceutical derivative digoxin. Other examples include red squill, lily of the valley, oleander (Nerium oleander), yellow oleander (Cascabela thevetia), dogbane, pong pong tree, milkweed, and sea mango. Ingestion of yellow oleander seeds is a common method of suicide in southeast Asia.1

Oleander (Figure 1) grows across the southern United States (Figure 2). The toxic cardenolide oleandrin is found in all parts of the plants with the greatest concentrations in the leaves. Toxicity has occurred with ingestion of multiple leaves or decoction of oleander. Toxicity is unlikely from small pediatric exposures.

Toxicity is similar to digoxin: nausea, vomiting, and cardiac abnormalities including bradycardia, various AV blocks, and ventricular dysrhythmias .2 Oleandrin is similar to digoxin and inhibits Na+/K+ ATPase leading to increased intracellular Na+ concentrations. This leads to diminished function of the Na+/Ca2+ antiporter causing increased intracellular Ca2+.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is a popular edible plant that is often used in desserts such as pies, tarts, and crumbles. While rhubarb is generally considered safe to consume, caution should be exercised when handling and preparing the plant.

The leaves of the rhubarb plant contain high levels of oxalic acid, a toxic compound that can cause poisoning if ingested in large amounts. Symptoms of oxalic acid poisoning can include burning in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and even kidney failure.

It is important to note that the stems of the rhubarb plant, which are the edible part of the plant, contain much lower levels of oxalic acid than the leaves. However, it is still important to properly prepare the stems by removing the leaves and washing the stems thoroughly before cooking.

Additionally, individuals with a history of kidney stones or other kidney problems should be cautious when consuming rhubarb, as the oxalic acid in the plant can exacerbate these conditions.

Overall, rhubarb can be enjoyed safely in moderation when properly prepared and consumed in reasonable amounts. Visitors to the Poison Garden are reminded to exercise caution when handling any part of the rhubarb plant, especially the leaves, and to always follow proper preparation and cooking procedures.

Valerian

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a plant commonly used for its sedative and calming effects. While valerian is generally considered safe for consumption in small amounts, caution should be exercised when handling and consuming this plant.

Valerian contains a number of active compounds, including valerenic acid and valeranone, which are thought to be responsible for its sedative properties. While these compounds are generally considered safe, they can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects, particularly when consumed in large amounts.

Additionally, valerian can interact with certain medications, including sedatives, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications. Individuals taking these medications should consult with a healthcare provider before consuming valerian.

While valerian is often used as an herbal supplement for its calming effects, it is important to note that the safety and efficacy of valerian supplements have not been well established by scientific research. As such, individuals considering the use of valerian supplements should consult with a healthcare provider before doing so.

Overall, while valerian can be enjoyed safely in moderation when properly prepared and consumed, visitors to the Poison Garden are reminded to exercise caution and to always follow proper preparation and dosing guidelines. If you suspect that you or someone else has come into contact with valerian, seek medical attention immediately.

*this information was contributed to by chat.openai.com