A poisoning syndrome

Convulsant terpenes (thujone, pinocamphone, camphor)

Thujone in wormwood, sage, and tansy oils; pinocamphone in hyssop oil; camphor.

Convulsant terpenes (thujone, pinocamphone, camphor): how soon does it show?

Minutes to an hour from the oils.

How does it run?

Agitation, then convulsions; the terpenes block the GABA-A receptor. The herbs in a tea are far below the convulsant dose; the distilled oils are not.

What is done for it?

Benzodiazepines; supportive care.

Historical and descriptive, not medical advice. In a poisoning, call a poison centre or emergency services.

Which substances in the database cause it?

Resin & Wood CamphorArabic kāfūr The crystalline gum of Cinnamomum camphora.Caution

CompoundHungary waterAqua Hungarica Bateana, renamed spiritus rorismarini in 1746 Fresh rosemary tops in flower, steeped in spirit of wine and distilled.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), plate: Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) in flower

Plant HyssopGreek hyssopos; Hebrew ezov Hyssopus officinalis; the hyssop of Scripture was probably a wild marjoram, Origanum syriacum.

PlantMint, oil ofOglio di menta Oil of garden or spear mint.Canale

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), plate: Mugwort

PlantMugwortArtemisia Artemisia vulgaris.Canale

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), plate: Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)

Plant RosemaryRos marinus, “dew of the sea” Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis).

PlantSageSalvia Salvia officinalis.Canale

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), plate: Tanacetum vulgare (tansy), drawn from nature by Charles F

PlantTansyTanacetum Tanacetum vulgare.Caution

Wormwood, oil of (Artemisia absinthium), plate: Wormwood

Plant Wormwood, oil ofOglio d’assenzo Artemisia absinthium.Canale

Sources

Höld, K. M., et al. (2000). “α-Thujone (the active component of absinthe): GABA-A receptor modulation.” PNAS 97. Verified against its record · doi:10.1073/pnas.070042397
Millet, Y., et al. (1981). Clinical Toxicology 18. Book, seen in reviews