The Christmas period is when holly berries are most commonly seen. The plant is cultivated in both temperate and subtropical climates across the globe.
Are holly berries edible? Holly berries are stunning to look at, but unfortunately, they are not safe for human consumption. Red berries are meant to be eaten by birds but are harmful to humans and most pets.
If you’re using holly for decoration and there are young children in the house, you should take the time to remove the berries beforehand. If you eat any holly, you can get sick.
What Makes Holly Berries Poisonous?
Intense amounts of theobromine can be found in holly berries. Caffeine and chocolate also contain this, although not at the levels seen in holly berries. In addition to ilicin, they also include the saponin found in some types of holly.
Those who consume these berries (or their pets’) will not feel well afterwards. If you have children or pets, you shouldn’t use holly for interior decorating since the berries may fall off the holly even if you put it well out of reach.
The beautiful red fruit could captivate a young kid since it appears to be delicious. While eating one berry probably won’t make a kid sick, eating more than that might be dangerous. A small amount of hollyberries can have a significant negative effect.
Animals such as cats and dogs that come across holly berries and decide to eat them face the same risks. If you don’t want to end up in the hospital or with the veterinarian, you should probably avoid using holly in your holiday decorations, or at least take the berries off before you put it up. They’re stunning to look at, but you shouldn’t take the chance.
What Happens If You Eat Holly Berries?
While consuming holly berries will not immediately kill you, it will be a very unpleasant experience. Although a healthy adult probably won’t get sick from eating a handful of berries, kids can start showing symptoms after consuming as few as five.
Due to their small bodies, pets are also likely to experience the effects of the substance considerably more rapidly than a human being.
So, What Effects Should You Look Out For?
Although reactions to holly berries differ from person to person, the most frequent side effect is vomiting. In addition to vomiting, diarrhea may happen as the body attempts to flush out the toxins as quickly as it can. If the individual vomits a lot, they may feel quite unwell and risk dehydration.
Keep an eye out for drowsiness as another possible side effect of holly consumption.
If your pet has consumed holly berries, they are likely to experience stomach issues such as vomiting or diarrhea, and they may also shake their heads back and forth in an effort to express their discomfort.
The likelihood of a kid or pet taking a large quantity of holly berries is low, but if you plan to decorate with them, you should still be aware of the symptoms, warn children not to eat them, and try to keep pets away from the holly.
Holly is not appealing to the taste buds of either humans or cats or dogs, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
What To Do If Someone Has Eaten Holly Berries?
The first and most important step to take if you suspect someone has taken holly berries is to get rid of the holly. If you notice that your child has holly berries in their mouth, you should strongly encourage them to gargle with water and then spit the contents of their mouth into a basin. If you can, get as much of the berries out of their mouth as you can, and then show them how to properly wash their hands.
Remove any remaining berries to keep them safe, and then give them some water. Try to figure out how many berries they ate by questioning them or looking at the evidence. You might be able to estimate the amount by counting how many berries are still on the holly.
After then, you should get in touch with either a poison control center or the nearest hospital. List any signs or symptoms that are happening.
The symptoms of holly berry poisoning can be managed at home by keeping a careful watch on the patient and giving them enough of fluids to replace those lost through vomiting. It may be necessary to take the patient to the hospital if the condition is severe. Activated charcoal will be used to treat them, and they may also be given intravenous fluids to maintain hydration.
Consult a doctor before doing anything else if you have any doubts. Poisoning from holly should not be life-threatening in the majority of situations, but it is best to err on the side of caution.
If your pet is the one who ingested the holly berries, you should take the same precautions as before, taking as much as you can from their mouths and washing out any excess before consulting a veterinarian.
What About Other Parts Of A Holly Bush?
Since holly leaves are spiky and unpleasant, it’s quite unlikely that kids or dogs will try to eat them. They have the same bad flavor as the berries. Though, you shouldn’t eat them either. Neither humans nor animals should consume them because of the risk of experiencing comparable side effects.
If you are worried about your kids or dogs getting into holly, it’s better to keep it out of the house. While holly leaves aren’t particularly appetizing, the brilliant red berries might be irresistible, and you definitely don’t want to spend the night in the emergency room.
Last Words
In conclusion, holly berries are not safe for human or animal consumption. Birds like blackbirds, thrushes, and redwings are the primary consumers of holly’s berries. The berries are poisonous because the plant does not want any other animals eating them.
Even though the toxicity is usually rather low and not extremely hazardous, you should nevertheless keep the berries out of the reach of children and pets.
