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In the course of its evolution, lilacs have refrained from developing typical defense mechanisms such as thorns, stinging hairs or sharp leaf edges. Instead, the lilac tree relies on aggressive stolon dispersal, earning it a spot on the Black List of invasive plants. So the question is obvious to what extent a Syringa vulgaris defends itself with toxins from its enemies. Do you want to know if lilacs and lilac flowers are poisonous? Then read well-founded answers here.

Special ingredient in lilac

Questionable ingredient calls for caution

As early as 1841, scientists isolated a special glycoside from the bark, leaves and flowers, which is mainly found in Syringa vulgaris. Based on the botanical name of lilac, this substance was called syringin. Glycosides are widespread in the plant world. The organic compounds are usually a double-edged sword, because they combine both a toxic effect and suitability for medicinal purposes.

Lilacs in medicine

Lilacs in Medieval Medicine

As can be seen from the traditions, all parts of the plant were used in medicine in the Middle Ages. Administered in the right dosage, the plant was said to have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Parts of the lilac plant were used for these complaints:

  • Lilac leaves as a tea to reduce fever
  • Tea made from lilac flowers to relieve indigestion
  • crushed bark doused with boiling water to cure hiccups
  • crushed lilac tree leaves to stop bleeding wounds

For diseases such as rheumatism and gout, the healers used an oil extract from dried flowers. A bath of leaves and flowers was also recommended to relieve body aches.

Risky self-medication

In modern medicine and homeopathy, syringin has not established itself as an active ingredient because there is a lack of scientific evidence of its healing properties. Self-medication is strongly discouraged. Although the lilac-specific glycoside is not explicitly declared as a toxic substance, the effects of oral intake are not foreseeable.

Unfortunately, glycosides are often stored in the plant as non-toxic substances. If plant cells are destroyed when you harvest bark, leaves or lilac flowers, syringin can become toxic through contact with other plant compounds.

Harmful ingredients

In addition to syringin, lilac is permeated with other juices that are not beneficial to human health. Although we are not talking about toxins here, the following ingredients still require careful handling of the lilac tree.

  • Essential oils trigger breathing difficulties in those who are allergic to fragrances
  • Anisaldehydes are suspected of causing skin allergies on contact and headaches on consumption
  • Contains alpha-pinene in a very low concentration, but has the GHS label 'Warning'

The bitter substances in the lilac bush, on the other hand, are not poisonous. Rather, they serve as protection against excessive consumption, which can lead to symptoms of poisoning in humans. Leaves and flowers taste extremely bitter, so adults are hardly at risk. In children, on the other hand, the sense of taste is not yet fully developed, so that the bitter substances are ineffective as a protective mechanism in small children.

GIZ Nord warns against consumption

GIZ Nord advises against consumption

Even without GHS hazardous substance labelling, the experts at the Poison Information Center North confirm that lilacs are harmful to health. This warning is based on 62 reported cases of consumption between 1996 and 2010. Eight cases resulted in severe abdominal cramps, nausea and diarrhea. Only children were affected.

In view of these practical findings, one should also refrain from consuming candied lilac blossoms, even though they are sometimes praised as a delicacy. The sugar masks the bitter taste, so that the protective mechanism explained does not work in adults either.

Specialist retail products are harmless

Products from the specialist trade are harmless

The cosmetics industry has discovered the seductive lilac scent for itself. After it was previously difficult to extract the natural scent of flowers, modern CO2 extraction paved the way to a lilac extract. From the hands of experts and with a concentration of 0.1 to 0.5 percent in the aroma cosmetics, you can enjoy the revitalizing scent of lilac as a perfume or skin cream without any worries.

Mildly toxic to dogs and cats

Syringin and other ingredients in lilac have a similar effect on dogs and cats as they do on humans. Given their smaller body size, even small amounts can have a toxic effect on pets after consumption. So don't let your four-legged housemates constantly nibble on leaves, blossoms and twigs. Of course, there is no reason to worry if a few parts of the plant are eaten. Typical symptoms of poisoning, such as salivation, circulatory problems and vomiting only appear when Syringa vulgaris is consumed in large quantities.

Hares and rabbits do not touch lilacs

Unlike dogs and cats, hares and rabbits have a more refined sense of taste. As numerous owners and breeders report, the small rodents ignore twigs, leaves and flowers. The bitter substances and essential oils they contain obviously spoil their appetite. Therefore, the lilac bush is recommended as a suitable planting for enclosures.

Harmless to horses

Horse paddocks and paddocks are often bordered by trees and bushes, which horses like to nibble on when they are bored. If it is a lilac tree, you can let your horse do its thing without worrying. In numerous horse boarding houses and riding stables, the riding horses are offered lilac twigs as nibbles.

This not only provides variety in everyday life, but also partially covers the need for fiber-rich food. The German Equestrian Association agrees with this view and names the lilac tree as an unproblematic border planting for horse pastures.

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Garden plants