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HOME > J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol > Volume 3(2); 2005 > Article
The Clinical Aspects of Wild Plant Poisoning
Taek-Gun Ok, Chan-Woo Park, Jun-Hwi Cho, Seung-Whan Cheon, Seung-Young Lee, Sung-Eun Kim, Ki-Hoon Choi, Ji-Hoon Bae, Jeong-Yeul Seo, Hee-Cheol Ahn, Moo-Eob Ahn, Byung-Ryul Cho, Yong-Hoon Kim
Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology 2005;3(2):79-85
DOI: https://doi.org/
Published online: December 31, 2005
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1Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Kangwon National University
10Department of Emergency Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University
11Department of Emergency Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University
12Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kangwon National University
13Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kangwon National University
2Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Kangwon National University
3Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Kangwon National University
4Department of Emergency Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University
5Department of Emergency Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University
6Department of Emergency Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University
7Department of Emergency Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University
8Department of Emergency Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University
9Department of Emergency Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University

Purpose: With the recent boom in 'eating healthy', many adults are interested in dieting to prevent future diseases. However only well trained experts can distinguish between what are edible vegetables and herbs from their poisonous look-alikes. In cases where a patient unknowingly ingests a poisonous herb, is caught off guard by the poisonous side effects that occur because of their lack of knowledge of what they have ingested. This paper will focus on the need to educate the public about the risks involved with ingesting wild vegetables and herbs and study the emergency diagnosis and treatment of poisoned patients that enter the emergency room. Method: This study was done in the spring of 2004 (from March to May) in the Kangwon Young-Seo districts of Korea. 15 subjects used in this study, entered the emergency room showing signs of toxic symptoms. Data was collected by examining subject's records. Additional data was collected by collaborating with physicians in the hospital that diagnosed and treated the subjects. Identifying the poisonous vegetable or herb is the first step to proper diagnosis and treatment. Subjects admitted to the emergency room, underwent a battery of tests: laboratory examination, ECG, radiological exam and etc. Results: The demographics of the study encompassed subjects with the average age of $50{pm}19$ years old. There were 10 men and 5 women. Common symptoms of this study included; gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and so on. In the case of Caltha palustris ingestion, additional symptoms were present; bradycardia and hypotension which lasted for a long time. While cases that ingested Scopolia parviflora had little effect on vital signs but manic episodes lasted for about three days. Veratrum patulum ingestion showed signs of bradycardia and hypotension but contrary to Caltha palustris recovery was shorten by treating with dopamine. However, dizziness, headache and paresthesia of the extremities continued for a long time. Finally Sium ninsi ingestion showed visual disturbance, paresthesia of the extremities, dizziness as their initial symptoms. Conclusion: The risks involved with ingesting wild plants without the proper knowledge can lead to serious side effects and steps need to be taken to educate the public. In addition, all emergency physicians need to have a working knowledge of the symptoms and signs associated with ingesting toxic wild plants and need to treat accordingly.

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JKSCT : Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology