Tag: Conkers

According to a study conducted in Switzerland, horse chestnut poisoning can cause severe symptoms within 15–30 minutes of ingesting just one to four seeds. This highlights the serious and rapid side effects of eating horse chestnuts, which contain the poisonous compound aesculin. Unknowingly consuming this toxic nut can lead to significant health risks, emphasizing the importance of understanding the dangers involved.

According to a study by the French poison control center, over 10% of plant-related poisonings between 2012 and 2018 were due to confusing horse chestnuts with edible sweet chestnuts. This highlights the critical importance of knowing the difference between chestnuts and horse chestnuts, as one is a delicious fall treat while the other is toxic and can cause severe illness.

Over 1 in 10 cases of poisonous plants being mistaken for edible ones involve horse and sweet chestnuts. This confusion poses a significant health risk, making it critical for foragers and curious individuals to understand the definitive answer to 'Can you eat horse chestnut seeds?'.