To protect themselves from predators, many plants produce poisonous secretions or fruits, which are not always fatal, but do cause unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, dizziness or stomach pain. This is intended to deter animals and people from consuming food again. Children and animals often taste berries without knowing that their colors make them particularly tempting. Keeping a poisonous plant in the garden therefore poses a risk. But do you have to worry if you have an ash tree in your garden?
Is the ash tree poisonous to people or animals?
The ash tree is not poisonous and poses no danger to humans or animals. Its components even have healing properties and are used in natural medicine, such as ash leaves for tea to relieve rheumatism and edema.
Toxicity
The ash tree is not poisonous in any way. Even their fruits don't look like they're worth eating, 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, rowan is considered toxic. First of all, it should be mentioned that this tree is a rose family, while the ash is an olive tree. So there is no relationship. It produces fiery red berries that birds primarily feed on. But there is no risk of stomach upset for humans either. You can even boil the rowan berries and use them to make jam or jelly.
Importance for he alth
If you look back in time, it is not surprising that the ash tree is not poisonous. Even back then, ancient peoples knew about the healing effects of its components. The ash tree plays an important role in natural medicine.
- Ash leaves are brewed into a diuretic, laxative tea, which 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 tree contains tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, triterpenes, mineral s alts, sugars and vitamins
