- Ragwort contains highly toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids
- endangerment of grazing animals
- danger to humans
Ragwort or Senecio is a genus of plants comprising around 1000 different species from the daisy family (Asteraceae). The yellow-flowering ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and the common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) are particularly widespread in our country. Grazing animals are particularly at risk, but humans are also often affected through the food chain and the dangers of confusion with edible plants. In many cases, poisoning leads to liver failure and death.
Ragwort is highly toxic to humans and animals
Ragwort contains highly toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids
All ragweeds contain highly toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are both liver damaging and carcinogenic. Particularly high levels of the poison can be found in the flowers and young plants. The alkaloids are not directly toxic, but only develop their toxic effect through conversion in the liver with the help of enzymes. The dangerous toxins have already been found in eggs, honey, milk and various herbal teas (especially chamomile tea).
endangerment of grazing animals
The ragwort tastes bitter and is therefore not readily eaten, but only as long as it has not been dried. Dried ragwort - for example in hay - loses its warning bitter substances, but not its toxicity. In addition, slow poisoning is not excluded, since the alkaloids in question gradually accumulate in the liver and can eventually lead to death. Poisoning can therefore show up even after several months.
danger to humans
Jacob's ragwort is particularly dangerous for humans because of its high risk of confusion with edible plants. The pinnate leaves are very similar to rocket, but the medicinal St. John's wort is not dissimilar to the poisonous plant. Caution is therefore required with wild herbs, wild lettuce and leafy vegetables that you have collected yourself, because even small amounts can have serious consequences.
tips
Incidentally, caution is also required with comfrey (Symphytum), which also contains large amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is therefore highly toxic to humans and animals.