Description

Use of the Aconitum plant in traditional medicine may be associated with life-threatening toxicity. This often is associated with failure to prepare the plant properly or failure to appreciate the level of alkaloids in various parts of the plant.


 

Plant: Aconitum (various species)

 

Names used for traditional medicines: caowu, chuanwu, xueshangyizhihao

 

Toxic alkaloids: aconitine, mesconitine, hypaconitine, others

 

Toxic effects:

(1) fatigue

(2) nausea and vomiting

(3) dizziness

(4) tachyarrhythmia

(5) cyanosis

(6) seizures

(7) paresthesias

(8) reduced level of consciousness including coma

(9) multi-organ failure

(10) asystole

 

Exposures may include:

(1) ingestion

(2) cutaneous application of tincture

(3) handling or application of roots

 

If the diagnosis is in doubt blood can be tested for the various alkaloids.

 


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