A plant record

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea · Plantaginaceae

EnglishFoxglove

FrançaisDigitale

BotanicalDigitalis purpurea

FamilyPlantaginaceae

Foxglove — Digitalis purpurea, used in Haitian and Caribbean herbal tradition

Traditionally used

⚠ Deadly poison — documented for recognition and caution, never for use. The leaves carry cardiac glycosides (digitoxin) that slow and steady the heart, but the line between dose and overdose is thin, and overdose kills by cardiac arrest. Digitalis is one of medicine's great heart drugs — as a precisely-assayed, physician-prescribed preparation only. The plant has no safe home use.

In three languages

Français — ⚠ Poison mortel — consigné pour la reconnaissance et la prudence, jamais pour l'usage. Les feuilles renferment des hétérosides cardiaques (digitoxine) qui ralentissent et régularisent le cœur, mais la marge entre dose et surdose est mince, et la surdose tue par arrêt cardiaque. La digitale est l'un des grands médicaments cardiaques — seulement en préparation dosée et prescrite par un médecin. La plante n'a aucun usage domestique sûr.

Safety

Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.

Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.

Sources & lineage

Toxicology (cardiac glycosides / digitoxin); prescription-only medical use

Kept alongside

Ribwort plantainHedge HyssopAlpine plantainSweet broom

More on Haitian plant medicine