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.

Castor Bean

Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is a highly poisonous plant that can be found in the Poison Garden. While the plant is grown commercially for the production of castor oil, the seeds and other parts of the plant contain a potent toxin called ricin, which can cause serious harm if ingested or even inhaled.

Ricin is a protein that can cause cell death by disrupting protein synthesis, leading to organ failure and ultimately death. Symptoms of ricin poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, seizures, and even death in severe cases.

It is important to note that even small amounts of ricin can be lethal, and there is no known antidote for ricin poisoning. As such, visitors to the Poison Garden are advised to avoid handling or consuming any part of the castor bean plant.

In addition to its use in the production of castor oil, castor beans have also been used in traditional medicine and as a recreational drug due to their psychoactive effects. However, due to the plant's toxicity and potential for harm, these uses are not recommended and are strictly regulated in most countries.

Overall, visitors to the Poison Garden are reminded to exercise extreme caution when handling or consuming any part of the castor bean plant, and to seek immediate medical attention if they suspect that they or someone else has come into contact with the plant.

Delphinium

Delphinium (Delphinium spp.) is a highly toxic plant that can be found in the Poison Garden. All parts of the plant, including the leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds, contain a number of toxic alkaloids, including delphinine and ajacine, which can cause serious health effects if ingested.

Symptoms of delphinium poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, respiratory failure, and even death in severe cases. As such, visitors to the Poison Garden are reminded to exercise extreme caution when handling or consuming any part of the delphinium plant.

While delphiniums are prized for their beautiful flowers, they should be handled with care due to their toxic effects. In addition to their use as ornamental plants, delphiniums have also been used in traditional medicine for their sedative and pain-relieving effects. However, due to the plant's toxicity and potential for harm, these uses are not recommended and are strictly regulated in most countries.

It is important to note that delphiniums can also be dangerous to pets and livestock, who may be more susceptible to the plant's toxic effects. As such, pet owners and farmers should be particularly vigilant when growing or handling delphiniums, and should take appropriate measures to ensure that animals do not come into contact with the plant.

Overall, visitors to the Poison Garden are advised to avoid handling or consuming any part of the delphinium plant, and to seek immediate medical attention if they suspect that they or someone else has come into contact with the plant.

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.

Henbane

Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is a highly toxic plant found within the Poison Garden. All parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, and seeds, contain a number of toxic alkaloids, including hyoscyamine and scopolamine, which can cause a range of serious health effects if ingested.

Henbane has a long history of use in traditional medicine and as a recreational drug due to its hallucinogenic properties. However, due to its toxicity and potential for harm, henbane is now strictly regulated in most countries.

Symptoms of henbane poisoning can include confusion, delirium, hallucinations, convulsions, respiratory failure, and even death in severe cases. As such, visitors to the Poison Garden are reminded to exercise extreme caution when handling or consuming any part of the henbane plant.

It is important to note that henbane can be particularly dangerous to children and pets, who may be more susceptible to the plant's toxic effects. As such, parents and pet owners should be particularly vigilant when visiting the Poison Garden and should always keep a close eye on children and animals to ensure that they do not come into contact with any poisonous plants.

Overall, while henbane may have some historical significance and uses in traditional medicine, visitors to the Poison Garden are strongly advised to avoid handling or consuming this plant and to seek medical attention immediately if they suspect that they or someone else has come into contact with henbane.

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.

Tomato

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a popular fruit that is commonly grown in gardens and used in cooking. While the fruit itself is safe for consumption, other parts of the tomato plant, such as the leaves and stems, contain toxic compounds called glycoalkaloids, which can cause a range of health effects if ingested in large amounts.

Symptoms of tomato plant toxicity can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, and headaches. While cases of tomato plant poisoning are rare, it is important to exercise caution when handling the plant and to avoid consuming any parts of the plant other than the ripe fruit.

In addition to its culinary uses, the tomato plant has also been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. However, these uses are not recommended and are not backed by scientific evidence.

Overall, while the tomato plant is generally safe when handled and consumed in moderation, visitors to the Poison Garden are reminded to exercise caution and to avoid handling or consuming any part of the plant other than the ripe fruit.

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