The pennywort, also known as coinwort, can grow as a wild plant in the garden, but is also often used specifically as a flowering ground cover. It soon spreads tirelessly, taking up more and more space. Can we approach the herb without worry or is the plant possibly poisonous?
Is pennywort poisonous?
The pennywort is slightly poisonous, but small quantities are harmless to humans. Edible parts of the plant are the leaves and yellow flowers, which can be used in salads, curds or on sandwiches. Historically, pennywort was also used as a medicinal plant.
Ingredients of pennywort
The plant parts of the pennywort mainly contain the following substances:
- Flavonoids
- tannins
- Silica
- Saponins
- Slimes
- various Enzymes
Saponins are considered poisonous to us. However, toxicity only occurs at high concentrations. That is why the pennywort is classified as slightly poisonous in some sources. People can ingest small amounts without hesitation. Saponins are also found in tomatoes, legumes and spinach, among other things.
Edible parts of plants
Not only do we not have to be afraid of this herb, we can even eat it. With good care, it will grow so much that something can be “harvested” regularly.
The leaves, which are tender from spring to the first frost, are considered edible in the sense of tasty. They are added in small quantities to salads, quark, herb butter or directly on bread and butter. Their taste is slightly sour and similar to asparagus.
Every year from May to July is the flowering time of this plant, when the equally edible yellow flowers appear, which also have a decorative value on the dinner plate.
Use as a medicinal plant
It was also known in earlier times that pennywort was not poisonous. At that time there was also knowledge that the plant had healing ingredients. In Eastern Europe, pennywort is still used today as a medicinal plant, for example against diarrhea.
Tip
A tea made from pennywort is not only he althy, but also tastes delicious, comparable to green tea. Pour 1 tablespoon of fresh leaves and flowers with 250 ml of boiling water and let them steep for 5-10 minutes.
