Contact dermatitis as an adverse reaction to some topically used European herbal medicinal products - Part 3: Mentha × piperita - Solanum dulcamara.

This review focuses on contact dermatitis as an adverse effect of a selection of topically used herbal medicinal products for which the European Medicines Agency has completed an evaluation up to the end of November 2013 and for which a Community herbal monograph - now (since 2015)(†) called a European Union herbal monograph - has been produced. Part 3: Mentha × piperita L.-Solanum dulcamara L.

An unusual case of Butcher's Broom precipitating diabetic ketoacidosis.

BACKGROUND: Herbal medicines are readily available and commonly perceived to be relatively harmless. Butcher's Broom is used in various medicinal preparations and contains substances having α-adrenergic-stimulating properties. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to report a case of toxicity associated with Butcher's Broom in a diabetic patient. CASE REPORT: A 39-year-old woman developed diabetic ketoacidosis 5 days after beginning therapy with Butcher's Broom for mild ankle swelling. Her diabetic ketoacidosis was complicated by hyperkalemia and acidosis with a pH of 7.02. After management with intravenous fluid, insulin, and calcium gluconate, her condition stabilized and she was discharged several days later. CONCLUSIONS: This case represents a small but potentially serious public health concern in a diabetic woman taking Butcher's Broom.