Sloe - the crop is so poisonous

The sloe is often called poisonous, although its ingredients are used in homeopathy. Read here whether you can safely use the plant and its fruits for jams and Co.

Sloe kernels are slightly toxic

Except for the fruit seeds, no part of the sloe is poisonous.

• The substance contains amygdalin, as in cherry or apricot kernels, for example. This is released as soon as the cores are damaged. This happens, for example, when biting. The substance is converted into hydrocyanic acid in your body.
• However, the amygdalin content is quite low and an adult has to consume large amounts to notice signs of intoxication. You will not reach these critical amounts with normal food intake.
• In children, however, things look different because the immune system is not yet fully developed. The body cannot neutralize the kernel poison quickly enough, even with small amounts. See a doctor immediately if your child has nibbled from the sloes.
• If you make jam yourself and use sloes for it, you should remove the seeds. To do this, boil the fruit and strain the mass through a sieve to easily separate the kernels from the pulp.

The healthy ingredients of the blackthorn

In homeopathy, the flowers and leaves of the plant are mainly used.

• Use a tablespoon of dried or fresh flowers and pour hot water over them. Then let the tea steep for 10 minutes. You can drink or strain the flowers. The drink is said to have a supportive effect in the healing process, especially for colds and fevers.
• The leaves are also beneficial for kidney problems. For a tea, take a tablespoon of the dried leaves and pour the drink on as previously described.
• You can chew dried-up sloe fruits for gum infections and bleeding gums such as chewing gum.