Although Solomon's seal is poisonous, it also has a long history as a medicinal plant. Below you will find out which parts of the plant are particularly poisonous and which symptoms occur as well as more about the use of Solomon's Seal as a medicinal plant.
Is Solomon's seal poisonous and which parts are affected?
Solomon's seal is poisonous, especially in its leaves and berries. Consuming the plant parts can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. However, in traditional natural medicine, the non-toxic roots are used to treat various ailments.
The poisons in Solomon's Seal and their effects
In the Solomon's seal (Polygonatum odoratum), poisons such as saponins, chelidonic acid and homoserine lactone are distributed mainly on the leaves and the highly poisonous berries, which form after the whitish bells have bloomed. Accidental consumption primarily results in the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrheal diseases
The use of Solomon's seal in traditional natural medicine
In many cultures, the Solomon's seal was used centuries ago as an important medicinal plant for various ailments. However, only the non-toxic roots are used for this purpose and for consumption as an asparagus-like vegetable. While the Solomon's seal was used in ancient times to treat facial spots and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, later it was used in numerous areas of application relating to the healing of bruises, menstrual problems and coughs. Plant parts from locations in the garden should only be used if the plant species has been positively identified and the relevant specialist knowledge is available.
Tip
Unless your garden serves as an unsupervised playground for small children, you should leave the visually attractive berries hanging from Solomon's seal. Despite their toxic effects on humans, they are an important source of food for various bird species.
