Purple Foxglove

Other names: Digitalis Purpurea, Foxglove, Fairy Cap, Lion’s Mouth, Scotch Mercury

Purple Foxglove is a popular ornamental but yet toxic plant, unsafe for self-medication, as all parts of the plant are poisonous. Poisoning usually happens when eating the seeds, stems, leaves or flowers of the plant, the responsible toxic ingredients being Digitoxin, Digitalis glycoside and Deslanoside. Part of Plantaginaceae (Scrophulariaceae) family, Purple Foxglove is native to Europe, Asia and Africa and has bell-shaped pink or purple flowers. Many hybrids and cultivars are available for cultivation. Powerful chemicals contained in the plant are used to produce “digoxin”, a prescription drug for heart disease, promoting cardiovascular activity. Used for congestive heart failure (CHF), irregular heartbeat (“flutter” and atrial fibrillation) and for relieving the associated fluid retention, Purple Foxglove will not be administered without the advice of a health care specialist. Other uses are headaches, constipation, epilepsy, asthma, tuberculosis and spasm. In folk medicine, the infusion of the leaves was
used in colds and fever and local compresses for bruises, burns and swelling.

Deaths have occurred when Purple Foxglove was mistaken with Comfrey. The symptoms of Purple Foxglove poisoning can include blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, abnormal heartbeat, fainting, lethargy, hallucination and confusion.

Purple Foxglove interacts with many vitamins, supplements and medication and you should inform your health care provider if you are taking Purple Foxglove at the same time with other medication, to avoid side effects. Major interactions are with Digoxin and Quinine, while moderate interactions are observed with antibiotics, diuretic drugs and some stimulant laxatives.