Wild quinine Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 4,900 found this helpful

No published evidence of toxicity in humans, cats, dogs, or horses exists in leading toxic plant reference texts

The species is not suitable for use as animal feed despite its low toxicity risk

It may be visually confused with highly toxic Apiaceae family plants, so accurate identification is critical before any exposure

FAQ

Is Wild quinine toxic to Humans?

No confirmed toxicity symptoms are reported in available medical literature. If adverse effects occur post-ingestion, seek immediate medical care. (Non-toxic)

Is Wild quinine toxic to Cats?

No confirmed feline toxicity symptoms are reported. If unusual behavior or illness appears after ingestion, contact a veterinarian immediately. (Non-toxic)

Is Wild quinine toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed canine toxicity symptoms are reported. If unusual behavior or illness appears after ingestion, contact a veterinarian immediately. (Non-toxic)

Is Wild quinine toxic to Horses?

No confirmed equine toxicity symptoms are reported. If unusual behavior or illness appears after ingestion, contact a veterinarian immediately. (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity symptoms are reported in available medical literature. If adverse effects occur post-ingestion, seek immediate medical care.

Cats

Non-toxic

No confirmed feline toxicity symptoms are reported. If unusual behavior or illness appears after ingestion, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Dogs

Non-toxic

No confirmed canine toxicity symptoms are reported. If unusual behavior or illness appears after ingestion, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Horses

Non-toxic

No confirmed equine toxicity symptoms are reported. If unusual behavior or illness appears after ingestion, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo toxic plant parts have been identified in published research; the species is considered likely non-toxic across all tissues, though intentional ingestion for feed is not recommended.

Exposure RouteOral ingestion is the only potential exposure route documented; no dermal or inhaled toxicity reports exist for this species.

Toxic CompoundsNo toxic phytochemicals linked to this species have been recorded in peer-reviewed toxic plant references

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse the mouth of the exposed human/animal thoroughly with clean water to remove residual plant material
• Monitor the exposed individual for 2-4 hours for any unexpected gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reaction
• Collect a full sample of the ingested plant for formal identification if symptoms develop

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet or livestock exhibits persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy within 24 hours of ingestion
• If you cannot confirm the ingested plant is wild quinine and suspect it may be a toxic Apiaceae lookalike
• If a large volume of plant material was consumed by a small companion animal or young foal

Prevention

• Confirm plant identification with a certified botanist before allowing pets or livestock to graze in areas where this species grows
• Remove toxic Apiaceae lookalike plants from residential yards and pastures to eliminate misidentification risk
• Never intentionally feed wild quinine to livestock or companion animals, as it is not approved for feed use

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer supportive care (e.g., fluid therapy, anti-emetics) for any mild, transient gastrointestinal symptoms as needed
• If exposure to a toxic Apiaceae lookalike is confirmed, follow standard treatment protocols for that species
• Manage any rare allergic reactions with antihistamines or epinephrine as directed by a medical provider or veterinarian

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameParthenium integrifolium L.

AliasesAmerican feverfew、Eastern feverfew、Prärie-Mutterkraut、Wildes Chinin、Prärieampfer、Quinine sauvage

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No target organs of toxicity have been recorded for this species

Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanism of action has been identified for this species, as no confirmed toxicity events have been documented

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle, sheep, and goats: No confirmed toxicity reports exist, but the species is not recommended as a feed source to avoid unforeseen adverse effects

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): No formal toxicity data is available; intentional feeding of this wild species is strongly discouraged

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Poison hemlock Conium maculatum

Both species produce dense clusters of small white flowers; wild quinine has coarse, toothed alternate leaves, while poison hemlock has finely divided fern-like leaves and distinctive purple-spotted stems

Water hemlock Cicuta maculata

Both have similar white flower clusters; wild quinine grows in dry prairie habitats, while water hemlock is found in wet, marshy areas and has hollow, segmented stems

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Related Toxic Plants

Common ragwort

Jacobaea vulgaris

Highly toxic, causes irreversible liver damage in humans and all animal species

White snakeroot

Ageratina altissima

Highly toxic, causes trembles in livestock and fatal milk sickness in humans

Bitter sneezeweed

Helenium amarum

Moderately toxic, causes severe gastrointestinal irritation and liver damage in grazing livestock

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.