White or brown spots on the leaves make many gardeners doubt whether the fruits are still edible. After all, powdery mildew is a fungus that sometimes causes the plant to die. While pets have no sense of the harmful coating, children also run the risk of eating from infected leaves, as the downy mildew on the underside of the leaves often goes undetected. Here you can find out whether and what he alth risk there is.
Is powdery mildew poisonous on plants?
Mildew is not poisonous, but allergic reactions may occur in sensitive people. Caution is advised when controlling and consuming the affected plants. Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly and protective clothing should be worn when handling infected plants.
Toxicity
Mildew is not poisonous, but should still be treated with caution. You can eat fruits and herbs without hesitation, not least because you should generally wash harvested vegetables well beforehand. Since there was a risk of significant losses in crop yield, many farmers also processed plants affected by powdery mildew and sold them.
Consequences of an allergic reaction
However, you may have an allergy to the fungus that causes mildew. In this case, the following complaints are to be expected:
- Digestive problems
- Stomachache
- Breathing problems
- Itching
- Skin redness
Better wear protective clothing
Allergy sufferers experience the above-mentioned body reactions, especially after eating plants affected by powdery mildew. In addition, these also occur in a reduced form when substances from the fungus are inhaled. When treating infected plants, always wear protective clothing such as a face mask (€5.00 on Amazon) and, above all, gloves. The latter also protect against the fungus sticking to the fingers and later getting into the digestive tract.
Biological control
If you want to combat powdery mildew, you should always prefer gentle home remedies to chemical fungicides. Although mildew is not toxic, these pesticides pose an increased he alth risk. Fruit and vegetables in particular are often no longer suitable for consumption after spraying.
