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Foxglove
Toxicity
Toxicity
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, abnormal heart action, anuria, blurred vision, bradycardia, cold sweats, confusion, contracted pupils, convulsions, delirium, dilated pupils, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, excessive urination, fainting, gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, hyperkalaemia, irregular and feeble pulse, irritation of the stomach and bowel, kidney injury, light-headedness, low blood pressure, nausea, numbness on lips, stupor, tachyarrhythmia, tremours, vomiting, weakness
Duration of Symptoms: Few days - a week
Rate of Poison: 2 hours
Causes Death: Yes
Treatment: Activated charcoal, antiemetic, atropine (0.6 mg), Digibind (antidote), intravenous fluid
Historically, foxglove has been known to have a variety of medicinal uses, especially pertaining to the heart. In 1775, an Englishman named William Withering, learned about the medicinal properties of foxglove from an older woman, who would use the plant to cure dropsy using a concoction made from the plant. Ironically, when used at a higher dose, foxglove can turn from remedying heart conditions, to causing more fatal ones. Typically, foxglove poisoning will occur upon accidental ingestion, due to the leaves resembling more edible plants, or through the use of herbal cardiac glycosides. In folklore, foxglove was used in magical rituals and witchcraft. There were also myths that fairies would wear the blossoms of foxglove.
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson, M.S.
Main Toxins
Main Toxins
Molecular structure of Digitoxin (Pubchem)
Digitoxin
Digitoxin
Digitoxin is a cardiac glycoside, which can enhance the contraction strength of the heart or reduce the heart rate in cases of atrial fibrillation. While can be used medicinally, at higher doses can result in toxicity. Digitoxin is able to interact with the heart by competing with potassium to bind to the potassium ATpase enzyme, preventing potassium from binding to the site. As a result, the heart is exposed to calcium for a longer period of time, causing the heart to contract more forcefully. Additionally, digitoxin affects the electrical activity of the heart by making the phase 4 depolarization steeper, shortening the duration of the action potential, and lowering the maximum diastolic potential.
In other words: Digitoxin is a medicine that can help the heart work better in some cases, like when someone has a rapid heartbeat (atrial fibrillation). It can make the heart beat stronger or slower. However, if someone takes too much, it can be harmful.
Digitoxin competes with potassium in the heart. Potassium usually helps keep the heart functioning normally. By blocking potassium from doing its job, digitoxin allows calcium to linger longer in heart cells, which makes the heart contract more forcefully.
Also, digitoxin influences how electrical signals work in the heart. It makes the start of the heartbeat happen more quickly, reducing the time the heart takes to recharge after each beat, and lowering the resting electrical level of the heart when it is not beating.
Digoxin
Digoxin
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that has a strong systolic action and slows down the heart rate. This glycoside has been used for many cardiac problems, mainly with treatment of congestive heart failure. However, like digitoxin, digoxin is known to cause toxicity issues in the body, along with cardiac issues. In addition, digoxin also interacts with the heart the same as digitoxin, where it inhibits the activity of the enzyme, sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase, which is an enzyme that is critical for the active transport of sodium across the myocardial cell membranes, resulting in an increase in contraction of the heart.
In other words: Digoxin is a heart medication that boosts heart contractions and slows down the heart rate. It's often used for various heart issues, especially congestive heart failure. However, like digitoxin, digoxin can cause harmful effects in the body and heart problems.
It works by blocking a key enzyme that helps move sodium in and out of heart cells. By doing this, digoxin makes the heart contract more strongly.
Molecular structure of Digoxin (Pubchem)
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Digitonin
Digitonin
Digitonin has a high affinity for cholesterol. It binds to cholesterol, causing pore-like complexes to form, which disrupts membrane integrity. Studies have used digitonin to help with selective permeabilization of cellular membranes.
In other words: Digitonin loves to attach itself to cholesterol, a type of fat found in cell membranes. When digitonin attaches to cholesterol, it will create tiny holes in the cell membranes, which makes them unstable or damaged. There have been studies on how digitonin affects the ability of the cell membrane to be able to control what substances can enter or exit the cell, while maintaining the internal environment.
Gitoxin
Gitoxin
Gitoxin is a cardiac glycoside that interacts with the heart similar to that of Digitoxin. Gitoxin blocks the sodium-potassium-adenosine triphosphatase enzyme by affecting different versions of the enzyme in two separate ways depending on how much is present. This causes an increase in contraction of the heart.
In other words: Gitoxin is a heart medication that works like Digitoxin. It blocks a specific enzyme in the heart that helps control sodium and potassium levels. The way Gitoxin affects this enzyme changes based on its concentration. As a result, it leads to stronger heart contractions.
Glucodigitoxin (Purpurea Glycoside A)
Glucodigitoxin (Purpurea Glycoside A)
Glucodigitoxin, like digitoxin, is a cardiac glycoside that interacts with the heart similar to that of Digitoxin. While used for treatment of heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias, it blocks the sodium-potassium-adenosine triphosphatase enzyme, causing an increase in contraction of the heart.
In other words: Glucodigitoxin is a heart medication similar to Digitoxin. It's used to treat heart failure and irregular heartbeats. It works by blocking a specific enzyme that helps manage sodium and potassium in the heart, which leads to stronger heart contractions.
Acetoside
Canarigenin
Digicitrin
Digoxigenin
Gitaloxin
Jatitalin
Purpurea Glycoside B
Strospeside
Acetyldigitoxin
Cornoside
Diginatigenin
Febrifugine
Gitoxigenin
Oleandrigenin
Purpureoside A
Tigonin
Caffeoyl Galactoside Alcohol
Cyaniding
Digitalin
Forsythiaside
Gotoxin
Plantainoside
Purpureoside B
Uzarigenin
Calceolarioside
Desrhamnosyl Acetoside
Digitoxigenin bis-Digitoxoside
Gitaloxigenin
Jaitoxin
Plantamajoside
Sceptroside
Xysmalogenin
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: All parts
Contact Hazard: Yes, causes rashes, headache, and nausea.
Animals Affected: Chicken, cows, horses, pigs
Medicinal Value
Medicinal Value
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Leaves
Properties: Anticancer, antipyretic, cardiac stimulant, cardio-tonic, diuretic, hemostatic, sedative
Components: Digitalis, Digoxin, Gitoxin
Antidote: None
Preparation: Decoction, dried tincture, essential oil, infusion, ointment, pill, powder, tea
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Treatments
Treatments
Heart conditions
Tuberculosis
Location
Location
Arabia
England
Wales
Claimed Treatments
Claimed Treatments
Asthma: Infusion of leaves
Breast Cancer: Gitoxin
Burns: Ointment
Congestive heart failure
Epilepsy
Fever
Heart diseases
Heart failure
Inflammation
Insanity
Lung inflammation
Nose Bleeding
Palpitations
Pneumonia
Sore throat: Infusion of leaves
Ventricular hypertrophy of the heart
Wounds: Ointment
Location
Location
United States
Edibility
Edibility
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Young leaves
Nutrients:
Carbohydrates: None known
Minerals: Calcium, Potassium
Proteins: None known
Vitamins: Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin C
Taste: Bitter
WARNING: !Easy to mistaken for edible plants! !Do not consume!
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
None known
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
Tea: Infusion of young leaves.
General Facts
General Facts
Plant Facts
Plant Facts
Illustration of Foxglove by D. A. Wilkerson, M.S.
Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain or Veronica Family)
Genus: Digitalis
Other Names: American Foxglove, Common Foxglove, Dead Men's Bells, Digitalis, Dog's Finger, Dusty Miller, European Foxglove, Fairy Fingers, Fairy Thimbles, Finger Flower, Folk's Glove, Fool's Purge, Foxy, Ladies' Glove, Lion's Mouth, Purple Digitalis, Purple Foxglove, Thimbles
Synonyms: D. campbelliana, D. thapsi
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Bloom Colours: Yellow, Purple to white, Lavendar, Pink
Bloom Time: June - September
Type: Biennial and Perennial
Height: 2 - 5 feet (0.6 - 1.5 meters)
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Habitat: Forest clearings, grasslands, preferring moist situations, slopes, stream banks, woodlands
Origin: Northern Africa and Europe
States: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, GA, ID, IN, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Provinces: AB, BC, NB, NL, NS, ON, QC
Related Species
Related Species
Digitalis canariensis
(Canary Island Foxglove)
Photo: Daderot - Wikimedia Commons
Digitalis ferruginea
(Rusty Foxglove)
Photo: Hamdigumus - Wikimedia Commons
Digitalis grandiflora
(Golden Foxglove)
Photo: Konrad Lackerbeck - Wikimedia Commons
Digitalis isabelliana
(Isabella's Foxglove)
Photo: Daderot - Wikimedia Commons
Digitalis lamarckii
(Lamarck's Foxglove)
Photo: Ghislain188 (AD) - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 3.0
Digitalis lanata
(Woolly Foxglove)
Photo: Dinkum - Wikimedia Commons
Digitalis lutea
(Yellow Foxglove)
Photo: Thibault Lefort - Flickr
Digitalis mariana
(Marian's Foxglove)
Photo: Javier Martin - Wikimedia Commons
Digitalis obscura
(Obscure Foxglove)
Photo: Javier Martin - Wikimedia Commons
Digitalis sceptrum
(Scarab Foxglove)
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Digitalis thapsi
(Spanish Foxglove)
Photo: Mscs - Wikimedia Commons
Other Species
Other Species
Digitalis atlantica
Digitalis ikarica
Digitalis transiens
Digitalis cariensis
Digitalis × macedonica
Digitalis velenovskyana
Digitalis cedretorum
Digitalis × pelia
Digitalis davisiana
Digitalis subalpina
Hybrids
Hybrids
Digitalis x Arctic Fox Rose
(Lady's Glove)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Digitalis 'Pink Panther'
(Pink Panther Foxglove)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Sources
Sources
Toxicity Section
Toxicity Section
Amiri, F., Moghadam, A., Tahmasebi, A., & Niazi, A. (2023). Identification of key genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Digitalis purpurea. PloS One, 18(3), e0277293. Retrieved from PLOS One
BenchChem Technical Support Team. (2025). An In-depth Technical Guide to Exploratory Studies Using Digitonin in Cell Biology. Bench Chem. Retrieved From BenchChem
BenchChem Technical Support Team. (2025). An In-depth Technical Guide to Purpurea Glycoside A: Chemical Structure, Properties, and Biological Activity. Bench Chem. Retrieved From BenchChem
Cayman Chemical. (n.d.). Gitoxin. Retrieved from Cayman Chemical
Coon, N. (1979). Using Plants for Healing. Rodale Press. (pp.100).
Department of Natural Resourses and Environment Tasmania. (n.d.). Foxglove Management and Control. Retrieved from https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Foxglove%20Management%20and%20Control.pdf
Drugs.com. Digitalis. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/npp/digitalis.html
Hausner, E. A., & Poppenga, R. H. (2013). Hazards associated with the use of herbal and other natural products. In Small animal toxicology (pp. 335-356). WB Saunders. Retrieved from ScienceDirect
Hogue, C. (2005). Digoxin. Chemicals & Engineering News. Retrieved from https://cen.acs.org/articles/83/i25/Digoxin.html
Jan, U., Kalam, M. A., Jalal, B., Hamid, S., Salati, H. A., & Babu, C. (2024). A review on therapeutic potential of Digitalis purpura L. in perspective of Unani medicine. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 13(4), 296-299. Retrieved from Research Gate
Kreis, W. (2017). The foxgloves (Digitalis) revisited. Planta Medica, 83(12/13), 962-976. Retrieved from PubMed
Kwon HaJeong, K. H., Sim HeeJung, S. H., Lee SaIm, L. S., Lee YongMoon, L. Y., Park YongDuk, P. Y., & Hong SeonPyo, H. S. (2011). HPLC method validation for Digitalis and its analogue by pulsed amperometric detection. Retrieved from ScienceDirect
Lerner, C. (1990). Dumb Cane and Daffodils: Poisonous Plants in the House and Garden. South China Printing Company. (pp.13)
Lust, J. (1974). The Herb Book. Bantam Books. (pp.199)
Muenscher, W. C. (1975). Poisonous Plants of the United States. Macmillian Publishing Co., Inc. (pp. 217-218)
Mitchell, A. (2010). Bitter pill to swallow: a case of accidental poisoning with digitalis purpurea. Case Reports, 2010, bcr0120102633. Retrieved from BMJ Case Reports
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2026). PubChem Compound LCSS for CID 441207, Digitoxin. Retrieved January 9, 2026 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Digitoxin#datasheet=LCSS.
Popoola, T., Umana, E., & Binchy, J. (2021). Digitalis poisoning after accidental foxglove ingestion. Irish medical journal, 114(1), e245-e245. Retrieved from Irish Medical Journal
Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife. (1998). Wildflowers: Guides to Recognizing Just About Everything in Nature. Reader’s Digest Association. (pp. 269)
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp.118)
TerraWhisper. (n.d.). Purple Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea). Retrieved from https://terrawhisper.com/herbs/digitalis-purpurea.html
Vardanyan, R.S., Hruby, V.J. (2006). 17 - Cardiotonic Drugs. Synthesis of Essential Drugs journal. Retrieved from ScienceDirect
Medicinal Value Section
Medicinal Value Section
Coon, N. (1979). Using Plants for Healing. Rodale Press. (pp.100).
Drugs.com. Digitalis. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/npp/digitalis.html
Hogue, C. (2005). Digoxin. Chemicals & Engineering News. Retrieved from https://cen.acs.org/articles/83/i25/Digoxin.html
Jan, U., Kalam, M. A., Jalal, B., Hamid, S., Salati, H. A., & Babu, C. (2024). A review on therapeutic potential of Digitalis purpura L. in perspective of Unani medicine. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 13(4), 296-299. Retrieved from Research Gate
Kreis, W. (2017). The foxgloves (Digitalis) revisited. Planta Medica, 83(12/13), 962-976. Retrieved from PubMed
Lerner, C. (1990). Dumb Cane and Daffodils: Poisonous Plants in the House and Garden. South China Printing Company. (pp.13)
Lust, J. (1974). The Herb Book. Bantam Books. (pp.199)
Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife. (1998). Wildflowers: Guides to Recognizing Just About Everything in Nature. Reader’s Digest Association. (pp. 269)
TerraWhisper. (n.d.). Purple Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea). Retrieved from https://terrawhisper.com/herbs/digitalis-purpurea.html
Vardanyan, R.S., Hruby, V.J. (2006). 17 - Cardiotonic Drugs. Synthesis of Essential Drugs journal. Retrieved from ScienceDirect
Edibility Section
Edibility Section
Jan, U., Kalam, M. A., Jalal, B., Hamid, S., Salati, H. A., & Babu, C. (2024). A review on therapeutic potential of Digitalis purpura L. in perspective of Unani medicine. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 13(4), 296-299. Retrieved from Research Gate
Mr. Cook. (n.d.) Foraging Foxglove: A Wild Edible Exploration. Retrieved from https://www.mrcook.app/en/recipes/0196c553-a44c-70ee-af35-454316cda06f
TerraWhisper. (n.d.). Purple Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea). Retrieved from https://terrawhisper.com/herbs/digitalis-purpurea.html
General Facts Section
General Facts Section
Coon, N. (1979). Using Plants for Healing. Rodale Press. (pp. 100).
Invasive Plant Atlas. (n.d.). Foxglove. Retrieved from https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=5547
Jan, U., Kalam, M. A., Jalal, B., Hamid, S., Salati, H. A., & Babu, C. (2024). A review on therapeutic potential of Digitalis purpura L. in perspective of Unani medicine. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 13(4), 296-299. Retrieved from Research Gate
Lust, J. (1974). The Herb Book. Bantam Books. (pp.199)
Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife. (1998). Wildflowers: Guides to Recognizing Just About Everything in Nature. Reader’s Digest Association. (pp. 269)
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp.118)
Date of page creation: January 24th, 2026
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