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Poisonous Plants
mica powell
Posts: 6
in Talkback
Hello, I'm not green fingered at all, quite the opposite because I have a fear of toxic plants which is getting out of control. The dog ran in a load of foxgloves yesterday and then came in to the house and I'm worried about poison from the plant getting on to him and then being transferred to the sofa he's been sleeping on and anywhere that he goes. I have a three year old son and I'm terrified of taking him out in case he touches any toxic plants, my mother grows Fox gloves and grannys bonnets in the garden and I was freaked out when she cut them down then came back in without even having a shower, she will come straight in from the garden and touch a load of things, even the kitchen sink without even washing her hands first and I'm terrified that we're going to get poisoned from her negligence. I drove through a lane full of cow parsely or hemlock, now the car feels unsafe. Can anyone just give me some facts to get this thing under control.
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I think you're right pansy face. I hope you find some help mica.
In the sticks near Peterborough
You have to ingest 99% of the poisons in the garden, i.e eat them. The only plant which can be toxic by touching is Aconitum which can be serious. Foxgloves, cow parsley and hemlock have to be eaten and all taste foul unless made into a something easily eaten, even Aconitum is extremely unpleasant to eat unless made into a tincture. Only the seeds of foxglove carry any serious levels of the digitalis the poison involved and who's going to feed you or your child the seeds. Your mother's experience should show you there's nothing to fear. Your fears are irrational and the evidence of accidental poisoning from gardening and most garden plants are extremely rare.
If you are still fearful, then I would suggest a visit to your GP to discuss it further.
I'm a professional gardener and I am in contact with poisonous plants 6-7 days a week, and so far, as far as I can tell, I'm still in possession of my faculties ( my wife might not agree), I have 10 fingers, ten toes and I'm healthy, so unless your'e going to intentionally poison someone by making a tincture to collect the insurance, you and your family will be perfectly safe.
Some plants such as euphorbia have sap that will make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Many more plants are toxic if you eat them. We are surrounded by dangerous things, cars included. If you don't eat the toxic plants such as digitalis or aconitum, then they will not harm you. If you never cross the road, you will not get run over by a bus. I would always wash my hands after coming in from the garden, because of microbes, not the plants. You seem to have an irrational phobia. Maybe your doctor would be able to direct you to some cognitive behavioural therapy CBT, to help alleviate your fears. Dont let them rule your life.
Please see your GP to get help with this. It would be a great pity if your phobia about toxic plants caused your child to live a restricted life. Perhaps you could make a start by growing something that you can eat, such as mustard and cress. You can grow this on damp kitchen paper and you can ensure that it stays away from plants that cause your fear.
I was impressed by the color and appearance of foxglove when I saw it at a local nursery. I purchased two, and after planting them I read about their toxic or poisonous qualities online. I went right out, dug them up carefully (wearing gardener's gloves), placed them into a plastic garbage bag and set them out at the curb. The next day I just happened to attend a big plant sale at my city's botanical garden. I related my experience, and a woman, overhearing my story, commented, "I have many foxgloves in my yard, and I've never had any problems with them." So I regretted my actions-- but at least I learned some useful information. Now, poison ivy-- that's a different story...
Potato leaves are poisonous, as are rhubarb leaves and others, but people have them in their gardens and their families play there and are fine, and of course gardeners touch them all the time without coming to any harm. I grew up in the countryside playing freely in hedges, ditches and meadows full of foxgloves, buttercups and bluebells and I've survived to pensionable age and so have all the friends I played with.
Your anxieties are going to spoil your life and that of your family - please talk to your GP about your phobia and ask for some therapy.
Good luck
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
personally I'd rather have foxgloves in my garden than a filthy animal sleeping on my sofa.
Each to his own.
Poisoning by plants is incredibly rare, Mica. And involves actually EATING significant quantities of the plant (not merely touching it). Maybe a handful of usually non-lethal cases every decade. Set that against the hundreds if not thousands of car related deaths every year. There is absolutely no shame in seeking help from your GP to get these fears under control - that would be the best thing to do in terms of your and and your son's well being.
I feel for your position Mica, there are many risks and dangers in life and raising a child the most responsible job we can have! However an obsessive reaction to risk and danger can be detrimental. New cases of allergies and asthma have been put down to obsessive cleaning and over zealous disinfectant use, not allowing the immune system to establish itself. Remember that your mother raised you, and your still here!
maybe buy her son gardening gloves and hand soap tho! 
I hope you can enjoy your garden with your child 