-IBIS-1.5.0-

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toxidrome

Cyanogenic glycoside toxidrome

botanicals

definition

cyanogenic glycoside toxidrome

the following toxicity information is largely derived from poisonings, overdoses and research on isolated constituents; used with appropriate clinical judgment and cautious prescribing, herbs are safe and efficacious

plants included:

» Hydrangea arborescens

» Prunus spp.

plants containing cyanogenic glycosides but with no reported cases of toxicity:

» Sambucus spp.

» Rosa spp.

» Trifolium arvense, pratense

» Turnera diffusa

» Hydrangea arborescens:

• Cyanogenic glycoside toxidrome: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, diaphoresis, and lethargy. Flaccidity, incontinence, tetany, convulsions and cyanosis may also occur. The patient may experience a feeling of oppression in the chest (AMA, pp. 94-95; der Marderosian et al, p. 118; Duke, p. 237; Woodward, pp. 17, 177)

» Prunus spp.:

• Cyanogenic glycoside toxidrome: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diaphoresis. Diagnostic signs include: bitter taste in mouth, cyanosis, mydriasis, ataxia, often with falling, labored gasping respirations, rolling of the eyes, flaccidity, lassitude, and lethargy. Incontinence, tetany, and convulsions can ensue (AMA, p. 138; Woodward, p. 40; Levy and Primack, p. 90). May also produce blindness, alopecia, and a loss of mental faculties (Duke, pp. 394-395).

• potentially narcotic (Duke, pp. 394-395)

footnotes

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Lampe, K.F., and McAnn, M.A. 1985. AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants. Chicago: American Medical Association.

Levy, C.K.; and Primack, R.B. 1984. A Field Guide to Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America. The Stephen Green Press.

Ara der Marderosian, L.L. 1988. Natural Product Medicine: a Scientific Guide to Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics. Philadelphia: George F. Stickley Co.

Woodward, L. 1985. Poisonous Plants: A Color Field Guide. New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc.

d Injurious Plants. Chicago: American Medical Association.

Levy, C.K.; and Primack, R.B. 1984. A Field Guide to Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America. The Stephen Green Press.

Ara der Marderosian, L.L. 1988. Natural Product Medicine: a Scientific Guide to Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics. Philadelphia: George F. Stickley Co.

Woodward, L. 1985. Poisonous Plants: A Color Field Guide. New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc.

e. New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc.