In 1792 a Carl Fredrik Hoffberg wrote "The root pulverised or a decoction thereof, will kill wolves,flies and vermin living on walls and among all kinds of critters." I don't think the stems, leaves or flowers are poisonous - but I do know that neither sheep nor cows will eat them. The same goes for buttercups - the cows will graze on every straw around thembut leave the buttercups.
A variety of sources claim that handling the plants will result in similar poisoning , especially if skin abrasions are present, to ingestion- though on a lesser scale. There is a history of use as an anathestic in herbal lore- with many careful descriptions about the narrow line between poisoning and efficacy. I very much enjoy seeing our beautiful wild monkshood but am very careful with handling it's cultivated cousins in my garden.
5 comments:
It is a very beautiful flower, is it poisonous to touch?
what are it's side effects? rash? itch or something else?
It is beautiful. Same questions as Miz Liz, you gotta tell us:)
In 1792 a Carl Fredrik Hoffberg wrote "The root pulverised or a decoction thereof, will kill wolves,flies and vermin living on walls and among all kinds of critters."
I don't think the stems, leaves or flowers are poisonous - but I do know that neither sheep nor cows will eat them. The same goes for buttercups - the cows will graze on every straw around thembut leave the buttercups.
A variety of sources claim that handling the plants will result in similar poisoning , especially if skin abrasions are present, to ingestion- though on a lesser scale.
There is a history of use as an anathestic in herbal lore- with many careful descriptions about the narrow line between poisoning and efficacy.
I very much enjoy seeing our beautiful wild monkshood but am very careful with handling it's cultivated cousins in my garden.
A beautiful flower.
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