Most gardeners know it as a weed that needs to be fought as quickly as possible if you don't want to lose other plants. But how poisonous is jewelweed actually?
Is jewelweed poisonous?
The jewelweed is slightly poisonous, especially the stems and leaves, which contain glycosides. The flowers and seeds, on the other hand, are non-toxic and even edible. Symptoms of poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and gastrointestinal cramps.
All types of balsam are slightly poisonous
All types of impatiens – Indian jewelweed, colorful jewelweed, large jewelweed, etc. – are poisonous. The stems and leaves should not be consumed, especially when raw. They contain glycosides. The flowers and seeds, however, are non-toxic and even edible.
How do the flowers and seeds taste?
The flowers can be used as decoration for various dishes such as salads and cheese platters. They taste pleasantly sweet and literally melt in your mouth. The taste of the small black-brown seeds is reminiscent of mild nuts. They are extremely rich in oil and he althy.
What are the effects of poisoning?
If an animal or person has consumed too many fresh balsam leaves, various typical symptoms of poisoning can occur. These include, for example:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Vertigo
- Gastrointestinal cramps
Jerseyweed as a medicinal herb
The jewelweed has not yet been researched in detail. But it is known that it can be used as a medicinal herb. Among other things, it has a diuretic, antibacterial, laxative effect and triggers nausea. Externally it can be used against inflammation, insect bites, hemorrhoids and to clean wounds. The active ingredient quercetin also acts as an antihistamine.
Tip
Even if it requires a lot of patience: you can harvest the seeds in autumn. The best way to do this is to put a bag or other container around the closed but ripe capsule fruits and wiggle it around. The fruits then explode and throw their seeds into the container.
