Due to its dense growth and characteristic smell, the thuja tree of life is a popular hedge plant that can be found in many gardens and parks. The plants, which originate from Asia and America, are closely related to false cypresses and cypresses and, like these genera, contain essential oils that are responsible for the aroma of the individual parts of the plant, especially the leaves. False cypresses are poisonous and this raises the question: are they also trees of life?
ingredients
Yes, the thuja tree of life is an extremely poisonous plant that can cause skin irritation just by touching it. The reason for this are the special ingredients of the genus, which are responsible for the toxicity. Above all, these are contained in the essential oils, which are concentrated in the leaf tips, cones and wood. There is a toxic main active ingredient and other substances that can also have an effect on the organism. These are the ones listed below.
Thuja as a hedge
1. Thujone
Thujones are liquids that are part of the essential oils of thuja and occur there in a concentration of up to 60 percent. They have an aroma reminiscent of menthol. Specifically, (-)-a-thujone occurs in the tree of life. Thujone are neurotoxins that become highly toxic, especially in higher doses, and can trigger a variety of ailments, even though they are a natural component of terpenes found in every essential oil.
2. Camphor
Compared to thujone, camphor is a solid, but it is dissolved in the plant. The substance acts on the central nervous system, the kidneys and, in high amounts, on respiration. In contrast to thujone, camphor is deadly even in small amounts, but the concentration in thuja oil is quite low.
3. Tannins
In addition to possible toxins and other defense mechanisms, tannins are the only way for the plant to protect itself from predators. They develop a bitter taste that is unpleasant in the mouth and thus represents effective protection.
4. Other substances
The plant also contains terpineols and flavonoids. Flavonoids are colorants while terpineols are fragrances.
The mixture of thujone and camphor contained in the essential oil is toxic to the tree of life. Even small amounts of the essential oils have an irritating effect on a large number of organisms.
Thuja hedge in the garden area
toxicity
For the people
Children of all ages, adults and the elderly should all keep a safe distance from the thuja. Children in particular should exercise caution around the conifers. As mentioned above, contact can cause skin irritation and for this reason gloves should be worn during annual grooming or pruning. In rare cases, the mucous membranes can even be irritated when caring for the plant, but the tree of life becomes particularly dangerous when parts of the plant are eaten. The following symptoms are indicators of intoxication, which can result from even small amounts.
- irritation of the mucous membranes
- Discomfort in the stomach and intestines
- nausea
- nausea
- gas
- diarrhea
- liver damage
- kidney damage
- cramps
- paralysis
- death (very rare)
- miscarriage can occur during pregnancy
Of course, it should be noted here that children suffer much more from the oils than adults. The organism of children, especially small children, is still growing and therefore very susceptible to the poison. The highest dosage is taken either by eating the tips of the leaves and shoots or directly through the sap of the thuja. However, it is not known how much plant material needs to be consumed for the tree of life to be deadly. Since thuja is so poisonous, you should especially keep children, sensitive people, pregnant women and the elderly away. In the event of accidental ingestion, proceed as follows.
Thuja, tree of life as a hedge plant
- Administer liquid over water or gentle teas, for example chamomile
- Contact doctor
- keep Calm
If you are not sure whether the plant in question is a tree of life, you should take vomit or parts of the plant with you to the doctor so that they can be identified. Hallucinations or anxiety are not triggered by as there is not enough camphor.
Tip: People often pick up the leaves of the tree of life and rub them so that the typical smell unfolds. However, a possible reaction can already occur here, especially in sensitive people, the elderly and children, even if the plant has not been injured beforehand, such as with a cut.
For dog
Trees of life are also extremely poisonous to dogs and it should therefore be avoided to bring the dogs into contact with the poison. Even if dogs are not actually interested in the fruits of the conifers, it can logically happen that the four-legged friend amuses himself with the branches or leaves. They stimulate the play and hunting instinct. Since saliva forms when chewing on the shoots, the oils can be absorbed by the dog and poisoning occurs. This also happens when picking up leaves. However, some dogs do not like the smell of the thuja and keep their distance from the plant.
dog in the garden
Tip: If you keep a cat, you should make sure that they also do not eat any leaves or shoot tips of the trees. Cats are generally very curious and depending on the cat, the smell of the tree of life deters them or they want to nibble on it because the aroma attracts them.
For horses
The tree of life is just as poisonous for horses as it is for other four-legged friends. The problem here is that horses often like the smell of the leaves and try to eat them. The higher the amount of plant parts consumed, the greater the risk of life-threatening poisoning. In addition, the poison increases the risk of infections and causes disorders of consciousness.
- http://www.gizbonn.de/133.0.html
- https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thujone
- http://www.phytodoc.de/heilpflanzen/thuja