The Toxicology of African Herbal Remedies

Abstract

Toxicity related to traditional medicines is becoming more widely recognized as these remedies become popular in developed countries. Accidental herbal toxicity occurs not only as a result of a lack of pharmaceutic quality control in harvesting and preparation but also because herbal remedies are believed to be harmless. Although there is a huge amount of data available documenting the pharmacologically active ingredients of many plants, it is seldom helpful to the toxicologist in an acute situation. Current analytic methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography--mass spectrometry, and immunoassays can provide identification of the toxin in those few cases in which the history or symptoms give a clear lead, but broad screening methods remain to be developed. In most cases of plant poisoning, treatment continues to be only of symptoms, with few specific antidotes available. It is important that toxicologists in the West be alert to the possibility of encountering poisoning in patients due to traditional African remedies.

Contribution Of Plants And Traditional Medicines To The Disparities And Similarities In Acute Poisoning Incidents In Botswana, South Africa And Uganda

“…Furthermore, although plant and traditional medicines occurred in only 3.6% of incidents, they were responsible for 11.7% of deaths. These findings concur with several reports that show that household and agrichemicals as well as plant poisoning are involved in fatal outcomes in Africa (Joubert, 1990;Kasilo and Nhachi, 1992;Stewart et al, 1998;Tagwireyi and Ball, 2002).…”

Safety assessment of <i>Linum usitatissimum</i> (Linn.) Ingestion in New Zealand rabbits

“…This is why the consumer should be cautioned about the resultant risks of phytotherapeutic ingredients use (Stewart et al, 1998). To avoid or at least reduce these worrisome risks, it is primordial to improve control systems and evaluation procedures of natural products' therapeutic effects, their toxicity and their interactions with prescription drugs (Skalli et al, 2007).…”

Garden Plants in Zimbabwe: Their ethnomedicinal uses and reported toxicity

“…However, poisoning through traditional medicine occurs when herbal medicine is used outside the safeguards of the traditional knowledge system and due to self-administration (Gelfand et al 1985, Van Wyk et al 2002. The high incidences of plant poisonings from traditional medicine are also a consequence of misidentification, incorrect preparation or inappropriate administration and dosage (Reynolds 2005, Stewart & Steenkamp 2000.…”