Free Seeds from Children's Society - V. important info

:eek:aconitum napellus - otherwise known as Monkshood:eek:

---Poisoning from, and Antidotes---The symptons of poisoning are tingling and numbness of tongue and mouth and a sensation of ants crawling over the body, nausea and vomiting with epigastric pain, laboured breathing, pulse irregular and weak, skin cold and clammy, features bloodless, giddiness, staggering, mind remains clear. A stomach tube or emetic should be used at once, 20 minims of Tincture of Digitalis given if available, stimulants should be given and if not retained diluted brandy injected per rectum, artificial respiration and friction, patient to be kept lying down.
All the species contain an active poison Aconitine, one of the most formidable poisons which have yet been discovered: it exists in all parts of the plant, but especially in the root. The smallest portion of either root or leaves, when first put into the mouth, occasions burning and tingling, and a sense of numbness immediately follows its continuance. One-fiftieth grain of Aconitine will kill a sparrow in a few seconds; one-tenth grain a rabbit in five minutes. It is more powerful than prussic acid and acts with tremendous rapidity. One hundredth grain will act locally, so as to produce a well-marked sensation in any part of the body for a whole day. So acrid is the poison, that the juice applied to a wounded finger affects the whole system, not only causing pains in the limbs, but a sense of suffocation and syncope.

Although I did not receive any of these would like to thank the OP for bringing it to our attention. Especially as this is their 1st post.

Welcomer to MSE :wave:

bella165 wrote: »

--..... A stomach tube or emetic should be used at once, 20 minims of Tincture of Digitalis given if available, stimulants should be given and if not retained diluted brandy injected per rectum, artificial respiration and friction, patient to be kept lying down. .......

Bella, you really ought to mention that you got your quote from a 100 year old online herbal guide which sensibly carries the rider

The thought of worried MSE ers dashing about trying to inject certain parts of their anatomy with diluted brandy is all too much......:rotfl:

Yes, the plant is toxic - so are lots of other plants - but if you want to check them out properly it's maybe best to go via the RHS. The plant is stunning and whilst it's maybe best not to have it around if you have very small children, or daft pets that like to eat plants, it's a case of learning to treat all plants with respect. Even basic things like tulips and daffodils are poisonous................................

see this link for the RHS toxic plant list http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A34899709

Got mine this morning..........just checked the name on it (in latin so had to google it) -its a Chinese Foxglove.........no mention of it being poisonous at all so should be ok.
Thanks for the warning though........:o