Regarding hazards to humans: I've read it's dangerous to people with pre-existing heart conditions. I don't have the book any more, but I think it was those who are susceptable to heart failure and advised to avoid things like causing tacki-cardia (don't know the spellling) which is the same thing that people call "palpitations". A very small number of people are afected, but it is advised to avoid handling it if you know that you are on the danger list. If you have any doubts wear gloves. I shouldn't think anyone would be planning on eating it anyway.
Re dogs: I suppose it is the same, though I doubt dogs with severe heart problems do much digging. We'll put some wire mesh down to stop digging just in case - probably a good thing to do with anything toxic if your dog has the bad habit of digging up roots and chewing them.
Many thanks for the reasuring advise everyone, it helps a lot.
Just a side note - if you do have a habitual digger-dog, making them a sand pit and hiding a few treats in it to give them 'permitted' digging space can help. It can be tricky to manage if you have cats in the area though - they can see it as a lovely big litter tray - so you might need to make one with a lid.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I believe it's highly toxic if it gets into the bloodstream so if you get a cut on your finger for example, that could be a problem. I'm thinking of the young gardener who died and the only explanation found was that he had been working with or near to aconitum (he had poisoning symptoms). A one off case I know.
Rasingirl - Pippa could be encoraged to use a sand bath I suppose, but she would probably prefer using it to lie down on her back and sunbathe - she loves sunbathing on her back.
Lizzie27 - yes I think that's right, but I think the great, historic poisoners of the world used it quite a few times too.
Nutcutlet - was there a press frenzy at some point? I've no TV and I don't read the news so I'd certainly have missed it all. I think the news is about entertainment in a very sad way, so I don't bother with it. I like gardening because it is the best place to find "olds" which I find so much more reliable than "news".
Tom Wells, from the Chelsea Physic Garden, Wolfsbane is one of the most dangerous plants found in Britain’s gardens.
The roots are where the highest level of poison is found, although it is still found in the flower, If there are cuts on your hands, it could enter the bloodstream and affect the heart very quickly.”
In severe cases the poisoning causes heart arrhythmia, paralysis of the heart and respiratory problems. Other symptoms include vomiting, dizziness and diarrhoea.
"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
I don't want to rubbish some of the press claims, but, some of them are just that, rubbish. It is a very poisonous plant, when eaten And yes, I do have to say this, I am an expert, my knowledge not coming from dodgy newspapers, but from my job. Sorry if that is arrogant, but there is far to much rubbish printed by people with no knowledge.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
I don't want to rubbish some of the press claims, but, some of them are just that, rubbish. It is a very poisonous plant, when eaten And yes, I do have to say this, I am an expert, my knowledge not coming from dodgy newspapers, but from my job. Sorry if that is arrogant, but there is far to much rubbish printed by people with no knowledge.
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Re dogs: I suppose it is the same, though I doubt dogs with severe heart problems do much digging. We'll put some wire mesh down to stop digging just in case - probably a good thing to do with anything toxic if your dog has the bad habit of digging up roots and chewing them.
Many thanks for the reasuring advise everyone, it helps a lot.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
In the sticks near Peterborough
Lizzie27 - yes I think that's right, but I think the great, historic poisoners of the world used it quite a few times too.
Nutcutlet - was there a press frenzy at some point? I've no TV and I don't read the news so I'd certainly have missed it all. I think the news is about entertainment in a very sad way, so I don't bother with it. I like gardening because it is the best place to find "olds" which I find so much more reliable than "news".
Tom Wells, from the Chelsea Physic Garden, Wolfsbane is one of the most dangerous plants found in Britain’s gardens.
The roots are where the highest level of poison is found, although it is still found in the flower, If there are cuts on your hands, it could enter the bloodstream and affect the heart very quickly.”
In severe cases the poisoning causes heart arrhythmia, paralysis of the heart and respiratory problems. Other symptoms include vomiting, dizziness and diarrhoea.
Thankfully , events like this are extremely rare ; wouldn't be many of us left otherwise!
It is a very poisonous plant, when eaten
And yes, I do have to say this, I am an expert, my knowledge not coming from dodgy newspapers, but from my job. Sorry if that is arrogant, but there is far to much rubbish printed by people with no knowledge.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
In the sticks near Peterborough