Gastrointestinal tract plant poisons

SAFETY PROFILE Poisons by ingestion and inhalation. Powerful irritants. Oxalates are corrosive to tissue and produce local irritation. When ingested they have a caustic effect on the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. The soluble oxalates are readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and can cause severe damage to the kidneys. Oxalates are common components of poisonous plants. When heated to decomposition they emit toxic and irritating fumes. See also OXALIC ACID. 

The soluble oxalates found in rhubarb and most other poisonous plants are readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and lead to systemic formation of calcium oxalate. 

SAVIN Juniperus sabina, L., Family Cupressaceae, is cultivated as an ornamental shrub. Severe poisoning has occurred when the plant has been used as an abortifacient due to its content of sabinol, which irritates the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and leads to stomachache, possibly bloody diarrhoea, and... 

Traditional use Leafy tops and roots are used for medicinal purposes. Leaves are collected from plants during the flowering stage and the roots are collected in the autumn. Avicenna used the herb in baths to treat kidney stones and uterine ulcers, and to induce menstruation. A decoction of the herb is used to treat sinus colds (Khahnatov et al. 1984), nervous diseases, epilepsy, and nemasthenia, and is also used as an anticonvulsant. The aboveground parts are used to treat poisoning, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, tuberculosis, and to increase the appetite. It is also used externally as a lotion to treat ulcers and persistent wounds (Maznev 2004). 

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