To protect themselves from predators, many plants produce poisonous secretions or fruits, which are not always fatal, but can cause unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, dizziness or stomach pains. In this way, animals and humans should be deterred from eating them again. Children and animals often innocently taste berries, which are particularly tempting due to their colour. Keeping a poisonous plant in the garden therefore carries a risk. But do you also have to worry if you have an ash tree in the garden?
The ash is not poisonous in any part of the plant
toxicity
The ash is in no way poisonous. Even their fruits do not invite you to eat them from the outside, and they often hang at unreachable heights. Don't let the name of the common ash fool you either.
And what about the mountain ash?
Now, however, the mountain ash is considered toxic. First of all, it should be mentioned that this tree is a rose family, while the ash is one of the olive trees. So there is no relationship. It forms fiery red berries, which are mainly eaten by birds. But there is also no danger for humans of spoiling their stomachs. You can even boil the rowanberries and use them to make jam or jelly.
importance to health
If you look back into the past, it is not surprising that the ash tree is not poisonous. Ancient peoples were already aware of the healing properties of its components. The ash tree plays an important role in natural medicine.
- Ash leaves are brewed into a diuretic, laxative tea that also helps against rheumatism and edema
- Seeds and bark help against fever
- the bast promotes wound healing
- the fruits also have a diuretic effect
- the ash contains tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, triterpenes, mineral salts, sugars and vitamins