What is Ragwort (or Tansy Ragwort) and is it a Helpful or Harmful Plant?
by Jane ChittyWhat are the problems with ragwort?
Horses, ponies, donkeys and mules as well as cattle are more at risk from ragwort poisoning than other livestock; with young animals being more in danger. Poisoning can occur at any time of the year, generally having a cumulative effect. A very small intake over a long period of time can be just as damaging as a large intake over a short period. Over time, liver cells are destroyed resulting in liver failure. Such damage may go unnoticed for months or years before being detected.
What are the clinical signs of ragwort poisoning?
Symptoms first seen may include:- Depression
- Loss of condition/poor appetite
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Photosensitivity (sunburn) affecting unpigmented (pink) skin
- A possible jaundiced appearance
- Strange nervous behaviours
- Restless/aimless and uncoordinated movements/repetitive circling
- Possible blindness
- Head pressing against solid objects
- Abnormal gait and stance
- Haemorrhage
- Loss of consciousness.
What are the helpful things about ragwort?
It is not all doom and gloom. The National Trust confirm that they take a balanced view and recognise that, while ragwort does need controlling, it certainly should not be eradicated.
SOURCES
Chojkier M. Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J Hepatol 2003;39:437-46. View abstract.
Food and Drug Administration. FDA Advises Dietary Supplement Manufacturers to Remove Comfrey Products From the Market. July 6, 2001. Available at: https://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dspltr06.html.
Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 1995;50:83-98.
Written by Jane Chitty

Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.
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