PlantFunHenbane Bell Toxic?
All plant parts are toxic, especially the root, and toxicity is fully retained in dried fodder.
Total alkaloid content ranges from 0.3-0.8%, peaking at early flowering and fruiting stages.
Ingestion can cause severe nervous system disruption, paralysis, and potentially fatal respiratory failure.
FAQ
Is Henbane Bell toxic to Humans?
No specific human symptom data recorded; expected effects include rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, agitation, extreme thirst, dry mucous membranes, constipation, dilated pupils, paralysis, and possible fatal respiratory paralysis consistent with tropane alkaloid poisoning. (Severe)
Is Henbane Bell toxic to Cats?
No cat-specific toxicity or symptom data available in the referenced dataset. (High)
Is Henbane Bell toxic to Dogs?
No dog-specific toxicity or symptom data available in the referenced dataset. (High)
Is Henbane Bell toxic to Horses?
Tachypnea (rapid breathing), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), agitation, mania, increased thirst, dry mucous membranes, constipation, mydriasis (dilated pupils), paralysis, possible death from respiratory paralysis. (Severe)
Toxicity Details
No specific human symptom data recorded; expected effects include rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, agitation, extreme thirst, dry mucous membranes, constipation, dilated pupils, paralysis, and possible fatal respiratory paralysis consistent with tropane alkaloid poisoning.
No cat-specific toxicity or symptom data available in the referenced dataset.
No dog-specific toxicity or symptom data available in the referenced dataset.
Tachypnea (rapid breathing), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), agitation, mania, increased thirst, dry mucous membranes, constipation, mydriasis (dilated pupils), paralysis, possible death from respiratory paralysis.
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Induce vomiting or administer activated charcoal if ingestion occurred within 2 hours and the affected individual is fully conscious
- • Do not give any morphine or opiate-containing medications, as they interact dangerously with the plant's toxins
- • Closely monitor breathing, heart rate and consciousness while seeking urgent professional care
Contact Vet Immediately
- • Ingestion of any amount of the plant is confirmed or suspected
- • Symptoms including rapid breathing, dilated pupils, agitation or paralysis appear after exposure
- • Exposure occurs in high-risk species including horses, cattle and sheep
Prevention
- • Remove all Scopolia carniolica plants from pastures, livestock grazing areas, and spaces accessible to children or pets
- • Avoid feeding hay or dried fodder that may be contaminated with this plant, as toxicity remains intact when dried
- • Learn to distinguish this plant from visually similar species to prevent accidental exposure
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Decontamination via gastric lavage or activated charcoal administration to reduce toxin absorption
- • Symptomatic supportive care including monitoring and support of respiratory and cardiac function
- • Administration of physostigmine as an antidote where clinically appropriate
- • Avoid all morphine and opiate-containing medications due to dangerous synergistic effects with the plant's acetylcholine antagonist toxins
Professional Toxicology
• Tropane alkaloids act as acetylcholine receptor antagonists, disrupting normal parasympathetic nervous system function
• Toxins produce dangerous synergistic effects when combined with opiate compounds
• Toxicity remains stable in dried plant material, making contaminated fodder a persistent risk
Information from CliniTox veterinary text.
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Data Sources
This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.