ABSTRACT
Water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) is one of the most toxic plants to livestock and humans. Little is known regarding the amount of plant required to cause death. The objective of this study was to determine a lethal dose of water hemlock in a goat model. Plants were dosed to goats via oral gavage of freeze-dried ground plant material. The results from this study suggest that 1-2 fresh tubers would be lethal to goats.
Subject(s)
Cicuta/toxicity , Toxicity Tests, Acute , Animals , Goats , Livestock , Models, Animal , Plant Poisoning/veterinary , Plants, Toxic/toxicityABSTRACT
Although we are familiar with common British plants that are poisonous, such as Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) and Aconitum napellus (monkshood), the two most poisonous plants in the British Flora are Oenanthe crocata (dead man's fingers) and Cicuta virosa (cowbane). In recent years their poisons have been shown to be polyacetylenes (n-C2H2). The plants closely resemble two of the most common plants in the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), celery and parsley. Unwittingly, they are ingested by naive foragers and death occurs very rapidly. The third plant Anamirta derives from South-East Asia and contains a powerful convulsant, picrotoxin, which has been used from time immemorial to catch fish, and more recently to poison Birds of Paradise. All three poisons have been shown to block the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in the human brain that normally has a powerful inhibitory neuronal action. It has also been established that two groups of sedative drugs, barbiturates and benzodiazepines, exert their inhibitory action by stimulating the GABA system. These drugs are the treatments of choice for poisoning by the three vicious plants.
Subject(s)
Cicuta , Oenanthe , Aminobutyrates , Animals , Brain , Humans , Male , Plants, ToxicSubject(s)
Accidents/statistics & numerical data , Plant Poisoning/epidemiology , Plant Poisoning/etiology , Plants, Toxic/poisoning , Aconitine/analogs & derivatives , Aconitum/chemistry , Aconitum/poisoning , Cicuta/poisoning , Conium/poisoning , Humans , Japan/epidemiology , Plants, Toxic/chemistry , Scopolia/poisoning , Veratrum/chemistry , Veratrum/poisoning , Veratrum AlkaloidsABSTRACT
Atropa belladonna, commonly known as belladonna or deadly nightshade, ranks among one of the most poisonous plants in Europe and other parts of the world. The plant contains tropane alkaloids including atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, which are used as anticholinergics in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs and homeopathic remedies. These alkaloids can be very toxic at high dose. The FDA has recently reported that Hyland's baby teething tablets contain inconsistent amounts of Atropa belladonna that may have adverse effects on the nervous system and cause death in children, thus recalled the product in 2017. A greater understanding of the neurotoxicity of Atropa belladonna and its modification of genetic polymorphisms in the nervous system is critical in order to develop better treatment strategies, therapies, regulations, education of at-risk populations, and a more cohesive paradigm for future research. This review offers an integrated view of the homeopathy and neurotoxicity of Atropa belladonna in children, adults, and animal models as well as its implications to neurological disorders. Particular attention is dedicated to the pharmaco/toxicodynamics, pharmaco/toxicokinetics, pathophysiology, epidemiological cases, and animal studies associated with the effects of Atropa belladonna on the nervous system. Additionally, we discuss the influence of active tropane alkaloids in Atropa belladonna and other similar plants on FDA-approved therapeutic drugs for treatment of neurological disorders.
Subject(s)
Atropa belladonna/toxicity , Atropine/toxicity , Hyoscyamine/toxicity , Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced , Scopolamine/toxicity , Animals , Atropa belladonna/chemistry , Humans , Models, Animal , Nervous System Diseases/epidemiology , Nervous System Diseases/genetics , Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology , Plants, Toxic/chemistry , Plants, Toxic/toxicity , Polymorphism, Genetic/drug effects , ToxicokineticsABSTRACT
Epidemiologic studies were undertaken on the Caspian littoral of Iran to investigate the geographic distribution of factors that might underlie the signal differences in incidence of cancer of the esophagus. In zones of contrasting incidence and sex ratio, information was obtained on food intake, smoking and drinking patterns (including tea), other personal habits, occupation, economic and agricultural practices, and methods of food storage preservation, and preparation. The diet in the highest incidence area was markedly restricted to bread and tea. The poor quality of the diet itself was thought to have a role in the increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. The use of opium and sesame oil, consumption of sheep's milk and yogurt, the chewing of nass (confined to men), and the use of dyes (confined to women) were also more prevalent in the high incidence areas. Typical dietary items were analyzed for the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile nitrosamines, aflatoxins, nitrates, and nitrites. The results showed no unusual levels of any of the carcinogens tested or geographic differences.
Subject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Agriculture , Alcohol Drinking , Carcinogens/analysis , Diet/adverse effects , Esophageal Neoplasms/etiology , Female , Food Analysis , Food Preservation , Humans , Iran , Male , Opium/adverse effects , Plants, Toxic , Pregnancy , Sampling Studies , Seeds , Smoking , Socioeconomic Factors , Tea/adverse effects , Tobacco, Smokeless , Water SupplyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The practice of homeopathy rests on symptoms, which have been produced by medicinal substances in healthy volunteers, often applied at ultramolecular dilutions. It is unknown whether these symptom patterns are due to specific effects or chance fluctuation. METHODS: We tested the hypothesis that a homeopathic substance can bring about symptoms different from observation and placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design with baseline observation. RESULTS: 87 out of 118 healthy volunteers took both placebo and homeopathic belladonna 30CH in random sequence, after a 2-week observation period, and finished the 8-week trial. Apart from an insignificant tendency for subjects to report more symptoms with belladonna (mean number: 27.34), as compared to observation (24.26) or placebo (24.17), there was no indication that subjects reacted differently to homeopathy than to placebo or during baseline. CONCLUSION: There is no indication that belladonna 30CH produces symptoms different from placebo or from no intervention. Symptoms of a homeopathic pathogenetic trial (HPT) are most likely chance fluctuations.
Subject(s)
Atropa belladonna/therapeutic use , Homeopathy/standards , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Phytotherapy , Plants, Medicinal , Plants, Toxic , Adult , Cross-Over Studies , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Double-Blind Method , Female , Germany , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Reference Values , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Extremely low frequencies, from 1 to 1.1 Hz, imprinted in water (imprinting was done by succussing a glass containing the water) led to a total abrogation of a facial seborrhoeic dermatitis, previously proposed as a visible model for the theory of 'memory of water'. This technique provides a new perspective on the enigma of homoeopathy and the treatment of allergic diseases and possibly all other inflammatory reactions.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Seborrheic/therapy , Homeopathy , Models, Biological , Allergens , Dermatitis, Seborrheic/etiology , Dermatitis, Seborrheic/immunology , Desensitization, Immunologic , Electromagnetic Phenomena , Haptens , Humans , Nicotine/immunology , Phytotherapy , Plants, Toxic , Nicotiana/immunology , WaterABSTRACT
The author describes the activity of homoeopathic high dilutions of tobacco to treat his familial facial seborrhoeic dermatitis induced by the hapten nicotine. A double-blind experiment against placebo and several treatments with continuous and single intakes of tobacco high dilutions led after a break to a late abrogation of dermatitis simulating a desensitization. These observations provide a new possible explanation for the placebo effect and facial seborrhoeic dermatitis is proposed as a new visible model for Benveniste's theory of 'Memory of water'.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Seborrheic/therapy , Homeopathy , Hypersensitivity/therapy , Models, Biological , Dermatitis, Seborrheic/etiology , Desensitization, Immunologic , Double-Blind Method , Haptens , Humans , Hypersensitivity/etiology , Male , Nicotine/immunology , Phytotherapy , Placebo Effect , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plants, Toxic , Nicotiana/immunology , WaterABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether internal use of low doses of Larrea tridentata tincture or topical applications of this traditional herbal medicine are safe. DESIGN: Retrospective review of all people prescribed Larrea for internal or for topical use over a 22-month period. SETTING/LOCATION: A general naturopathic practice in Sedona, Arizona. SUBJECTS: Thirteen patients were identified for whom Larrea tincture for internal use was prescribed. An additional 20 female and 3 male patients were identified for whom an extract of Larrea in Ricinus communis (castor) oil for topical use was prescribed. No patient had any history of liver disease. INTERVENTIONS: Larrea was prescribed as part of the usual care of each patient. In all cases it was given as either part of a complex herbal formula individualized for each patient containing less than 10% Larrea tincture or as an extract in Ricinus oil for topical use. OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum liver enzyme levels as well as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, glucose levels, electrolytes, bilirubin levels, iron levels, ferritin levels, lipid levels, and complete blood count (CBC) were available for analysis in four patients; general clinical history and physical examination findings were relied on in all other cases. RESULTS: The four patients with complete before and after blood chemistry panels and CBC had no indication of liver damage from use of Larrea. This included one patient who was taking medications with significant potential for hepatotoxicity. No patient in the study, whether using Larrea for short term or long, internally or externally, showed any sign of organ damage during the period of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively small intakes of Larrea tincture, or topical application of extracts in Ricinus oil, are safe when prescribed by a clinically trained botanical prescriber. Larrea should be used with caution in persons with a history of previous, or current, liver disease. It may be preferable to avoid the use of Larrea capsules because they have been associated with potentially dangerous overdosing.
Subject(s)
Homeopathy , Hypersensitivity/prevention & control , Liver/drug effects , Plants, Medicinal , Plants, Toxic , Ricinus/adverse effects , Rosales , Administration, Cutaneous , Administration, Oral , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/adverse effects , Plant Oils/adverse effects , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
This article discusses poisonous plants, the symptoms that might arise if they are ingested, and the treatments that should be administered to patients.
Subject(s)
Plant Poisoning , Plants, Toxic , Aconitum/poisoning , Cicuta/poisoning , Colchicum/poisoning , Datura stramonium/poisoning , Digitalis/poisoning , Humans , Nerium/poisoning , Plant Poisoning/diagnosis , Plant Poisoning/prevention & control , Plant Poisoning/therapy , Solanum/poisoning , Veratrum/poisoningABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: According to homeopathic theory, symptoms provoked by the homeopathic remedy in a pathogenetic trial (PT) make up the remedy picture serving as the basis for the homeopathic treatment. Little is known whether the symptoms produced by the remedy differ from symptoms produced by placebo. This is because both homeopathic remedy and placebo also produce so-called unspecific effects due to psychological reasons. We therefore explore the distinctiveness of homeopathic symptoms and placebo symptoms. DESIGN: A three-armed, randomized PT pilot study. SETTING: A blinded materia medica expert identifies symptoms with regard to their number and specificity. PARTICIPANTS: 21 healthy homeopathic practitioners note symptoms produced after remedy intake. INTERVENTIONS: Patients are randomly assigned to receive either (1) Calendula officinalis, (2) Ferrum muriaticum, or (3) placebo. After a seven-day baseline symptoms recording period, proving substances are taken until symptoms occur. In daily supervision phone calls, symptoms are verified by the supervisor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Total number of symptoms produced and number of specific symptoms produced. OUTLOOK: The results showed that both remedies 'produced' significantly more symptoms than placebo. With regard to the specificity, the Calendula officinalis group displayed more remedy-specific symptoms than placebo. However, in the Ferrum muriaticum group more Calendula symptoms than placebo were also recorded.
Subject(s)
Calendula/chemistry , Homeopathy/methods , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Adult , Cross-Over Studies , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Placebo Effect , Plants, Toxic , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The article puts forward an opinion that there are identical or similar toxic components and poisoning action among close relative species of toxic medicinal herbs. These components, however, may vary in contents with different species. Many scientific examples are enough to prove that we can take treating, curing and preventative measures effectively only if we hold the conception that "Toxicity and poisoning action to each other may exist in close relative species of toxic medicinal herbs".
Subject(s)
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects , Materia Medica/adverse effects , Plants, Toxic , Poisoning/drug therapySubject(s)
Bronchoscopes , Anesthesia , Atropa belladonna , Barbiturates , Blood Gas Analysis , Humans , Lung Compliance , Methods , Opium , Plants, Medicinal , Plants, Toxic , Respiratory Function Tests , Succinylcholine , Thiopental , Ventilators, Mechanical , Work of BreathingSubject(s)
Anesthesia/history , History, Ancient , History, Medieval , Anesthesiology/history , Greece , History, 15th Century , Humans , Opium , Papaver , Plants, Medicinal , Plants, ToxicSubject(s)
Carbonates/therapeutic use , Heart Failure/drug therapy , Homeopathy/methods , Myocardial Ischemia/drug therapy , Phytotherapy , Plants, Medicinal/therapeutic use , Potassium/therapeutic use , Administration, Oral , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arnica/therapeutic use , Carbonates/administration & dosage , Digitalis/therapeutic use , Drug Combinations , Heart Failure/complications , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Humans , Middle Aged , Myocardial Ischemia/complications , Plants, Toxic , Potassium/administration & dosage , Rosales/therapeutic use , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The tobacco industry has lobbied successfully to obtain the support of the United States government for opening Asian Markets to American tobacco products. This paper comments on two issues arising from these efforts: the development of an atmosphere of invasion and resistance to invasion in Asia; and the change in the image of the United States in Asian nations from that of a leader in health to that of an exporter of death. The threat of sanctions and the effects of the open market and United States tobacco company advertising in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea are noted. Parallels are drawn between the opium wars a century and a half ago in China and the current threat of trade sanctions. Reacting to American policy, an Asia-Pacific Association for Control of Tobacco has been formed and linked with the US Coalition Against Smoking.
Subject(s)
Commerce/trends , Industry , Nicotiana , Opium , Plants, Toxic , Asia, Southeastern , Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , United StatesABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Belladonna 7cH and X-ray 15cH associated in the treatment of acute radiodermatitis. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 66 patients who had been operated on for breast cancer and were undergoing radiotherapy was conducted. The following parameters were assessed over ten weeks: breast skin colour, warmth, swelling and pigmentation. The efficacy of the treatment was assessed by the comparison of these parameters taken individually and by calculating an Index of Total Severity (sum of the scores of the four parameters) during radiotherapy, and during recovery, 15 and 30 d after the end of the radiotherapy. The differences of the scores of the Index of Total Severity during Radiotherapy were not statistically significant, but showed a trend towards a better activity of the homoeopathic medicine compared to placebo. Analysis of the data on Total Severity during recovery, showed a statistically significant benefit of the active medicines over placebo. The homeopathic medicines had particular effectiveness on the heat of the skin. The limited number of patients observed and the posology employed could have interfered with the significance of the results. Chemotherapy and hormonotherapy do not seem to affect the results.
Subject(s)
Atropa belladonna , Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Homeopathy , Plants, Medicinal , Plants, Toxic , Radiodermatitis/therapy , Adult , Aged , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , PhytotherapyABSTRACT
Systemic contact dermatitis may occur in contact-sensitized individuals when they are exposed to haptens orally, transcutaneously, intravenously or by inhalation. We report the case of a woman developing a diffuse skin eruption after the topical use of Rhus toxicodendron alcoholic extract and the oral introduction of a homeopathic preparation of the same substance for herpes treatment. An open test, performed with the Rhus toxicodendron tincture, showed an erythemato-oedematous response at 48 h and vesicular reaction at 96 h that was still present after 7 days. Patch test with 65% ethyl alcohol gave negative results. The open test performed, as control, in eight healthy informed subjects revealed negative responses to Rhus tincture application. The result is interesting because in Italy, allergic contact dermatitis to Rhus is uncommon and this case increases the understanding of the pathogenetic mechanism leading to systemic contact dermatitis development.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Toxicodendron/etiology , Herpes Simplex/drug therapy , Phytotherapy/adverse effects , Plant Extracts/adverse effects , Toxicodendron/adverse effects , Administration, Oral , Administration, Topical , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Plants, ToxicABSTRACT
Homoeopathic remedies for migraine are widely available over the counter, statutorily offered by the national health service in the UK, and apparently popular with patients. Do they work? Sixty-three outpatients with migraine with or without aura by IHS criteria entered a 4-month randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel-groups trial of individualized homoeopathic prophylaxis, the first month being baseline with all patients on placebo. Three patients (4.8%) dropped out, leaving 30 in each treatment group. There were chance differences in attack frequency and severity between the groups at baseline (attacks were more frequent but less severe in the placebo group). Both groups improved on therapy, but neither to a great extent on the primary outcome measure of attack frequency (verum: -19%; placebo: -16%). Reduction was mostly in mild attacks on placebo, more in moderate and severe attacks on homoeopathy. Few adverse events were reported. Overall, there was no significant benefit over placebo of homoeopathic treatment. The course of change differed between groups, and suggested that improvement reversed in the last month of treatment on placebo. On this evidence we cannot recommend homoeopathy for migraine prophylaxis, but cannot conclude that it is without effect.