Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (veno-occlusive disease)

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (veno-occlusive disease): how soon does it show?

Weeks to months of use.

How does it run?

The small veins of the liver are blocked; swelling, fluid in the belly, and in bad cases liver failure. The alkaloids also cause tumours in animals. Children and the unborn are most at risk.

What is done for it?

Stop the herb; 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?

A

PlantAlkanetAnchusa; Greek anchousa, “paint” Alkanna tinctoria (syn. Anchusa tinctoria). A Mediterranean relative of borage, grown for the red dye in its root.

B

Plant BorageBoragine Borago officinalis.CanaleCaution

B

PlantButterburPetasites; pestilence wort, German Pestwurz Petasites hybridus, of the daisy family, with huge rhubarb-like leaves in damp places.Caution

C

PlantColtsfootTussilagine Tussilago farfara.Canale

C

PlantComfreySymphytum, “grow together”; knitbone Symphytum officinale.Caution

H

PlantHoundstongueCynoglossum, “dog’s tongue” Cynoglossum officinale. A coarse, grey-leaved biennial of waste ground, named for its long, tongue-shaped, softly hairy leaves.Caution

R

PlantRagwortCushag (Manx); Stinking Willie Jacobaea vulgaris (syn. Senecio jacobaea). A tall, weedy, yellow-flowered daisy of pastures and waste ground.Caution