The 63-year-old wanted to buy comfrey leaves to prepare a remedy for insomnia. But it appears his store mistakenly sold him foxglove, a poisonous plant that can cause nausea, seizures and irregular heartbeats if swallowed.
Foxglove, a poisonous plant
A few hours after drinking the herbal tea that she prepared with the poisonous plant, the healthy woman with no history of heart disease, began to vomit and her heart rate skyrocketed.
Taken to hospital, the senior was unable to obtain the offending leaves, so doctors were unable to test the plant consumed. After a quick internet search, the practitioners deduced that what made him sick must have been the foxglove, often mistaken for comfrey, because these two plants look very similar. In addition, his symptoms were consistent with Foxglove poisoning.
An antidote brought her heart rate back to normal within days, and she was sent home. Doctors advised him to contact the seller about the error.
Be careful when buying rare plants!
The doctors’ report, published in the British medical journal, warned buyers to be careful when taking herbal supplements, and advised healthcare professionals to ask patients if they consume any rare herbs or herbs while taking their medical history.
“The home remedies may appear harmless. However, this case illustrates how limited knowledge of plants can be potentially fatal, “according to the doctors.
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