To be clear: rowanberries are not poisonous. Even though this is said again and again and parents warn their children not to eat the berries, it is still a myth - albeit one that persists. One reason for this may be that unripe berries can cause gastrointestinal problems, which are usually more severe in children.
Art
The rowanberry, which we also like to call mountain ash, belongs to the whitebeam genus. Its botanical name is Sorbus aucuparia. The small red fruits that hang in clusters on the branches are particularly striking and give them their name. These fruits have been used by humans as food or medicine for centuries. For example, jam was made from it. Since the berries contain a lot of vitamin C, they also serve as a prevention against colds. Teas and infusions were made from the leaves of the plant. Consequently, there can be no question of rowan berries being poisonous. However, they are inedible when raw. Then you should definitely stay away from them.
Problem
The bright red color of rowan berries entices children and some species of animals in particular to snack on them, even though they are raw. This often leads to vomiting and stomach pain, especially in children. This may be the reason why there is talk of toxicity. However, the berries do not contain any poison - and certainly none that would be fatal. However, they contain parasorbic acid, which is not toxic but can cause stomach irritation. However, if the berries are cooked, the parasorbic acid is converted into sorbic acid. And the body then absorbs it extremely easily and without any problems.
leaves
The leaves of the rowan berry represent a certain special case. However, people usually do not eat them raw. Cats and dogs, on the other hand, occasionally feast on not only the berries, but also the leaves. Under certain circumstances, hydrogen cyanide can form in the stomach, which of course leads to irritation. However, there is no danger to life for a he althy living being because the dose is far too low.
Symptoms of poisoning
Eating raw rowan berries and leaves always leads to the same symptoms in humans and animals.
These are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach and intestinal cramps
These symptoms only become problematic if there are previous illnesses or if the diarrhea lasts for several days and thus leads to a high loss of fluid in the body. Then you should definitely see a doctor or veterinarian. Otherwise, treatment with the usual home remedies is sufficient to bring about quick relief.
Tip:
Charcoal tablets and hot chamomile tea help reliably in most cases and lead to rapid improvement. In addition, if possible, you should always drink plenty of water that is not too cold.
Dog and cat
If dogs and cats have eaten raw rowan berries or leaves, you don't need to call the vet straight away. For them too, the symptoms usually subside relatively quickly. The animals usually don't eat large quantities of berries anyway because they taste extremely bitter when raw. Things may look different with the leaves. If a dog has consumed a large amount of it and the symptoms do not subside after a day or two, a veterinarian should definitely be consulted. Otherwise, it is important to provide affected animals with enough fresh water to drink. There is no danger to their lives either - provided there are no other serious illnesses.
