One Dog's Poison....

Many are used in homeopathy, where the actual dosage is infinitesimally small. None, of course, should be self-administered – always seek the advice of a medicinal herbalist or doctor, even when using the less poisonous herbs.

Some plants listed as harmful surprised me, because they are widely used and no harm to humans at all. Yarrow was one – but it makes an excellent tea for the start of a cold, has edible leaves, and its astringent properties have made it world renowned as a healing herb which stops bleeding. Its Latin name, Achillea, recalls the hero of Troy, Achilles, who used it to staunch the wounds of his troops on the battlefield.

Elder leaves, root and bark are poisonous to dogs, but are also useful dyeing ingredients. It goes without saying that the flowers and berries make just the best wines, sauces, pies and fritters! Less well known are Elder’s medicinal properties (flowers for fevers, fruits for rheumatics, bark for arthritis, leaves for chilblains…..that’s just for starters). Elderflowers are important also in the cosmetic industry.

Poppies, flax, ivy, holly, rhubarb and primroses are risky for puppies, but have their uses for us.

Poppies, as well as being the source of opium in one species (Papaver somniferum), are the source of poppy seeds for baking.

Flax is the plant from which linen fibres are extracted. Ivy has many medicinal uses – we used to give it to off-colour goats as a tonic in the days when we were aspiring to self-sufficiency.

Holly, too – useful for malaria(!), and what a brilliant tree to have for birds! Primrose flowers may be added to salads, and none of us need reminding of the joys of rhubarb crumble!

Even the Yew Tree, whose every part save the bright red aril which surrounds the seed is very poisonous, is now harvested as a cancer treatment.

When my dog starts religiously chewing a plant, it is usually a type of grass – one that tastes sweet, has edible roots which can be made into a tea to clear infections and which have even been ground into flour in times of famine. And it’s the most annoying weed in my garden – couch grass.

One dog’s medicine is the bane of another being’s gardening life!

©Margaret Lear