Adenanthera microsperma 海紅豆

POISONOUS PARTS

Whole plant, especially the raw seeds.^3–6

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  Not identified.

• Poisoning Features

  Vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Weak pulse and dyspnoea in severe cases.^4,5

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment.

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Large deciduous trees, 5–20 m tall; bark slightly peeling off in thin scales. Leaves bipinnate, pinnae subopposite; leaflets alternate, 2.5–3.5 × 1.5–2.5 cm, puberulent on both surfaces. Racemes 8–15 cm long; flowers small, white or yellow, petals 2.5–3 mm long. Pods 10–20 × 1.2–1.4 cm, valves contorted after dehiscence. Seeds 5–8 × 4.5–7 mm, dark red.⁷

MEDICINAL USES

Seeds used in TCM: disperse wind and fever, dry dampness and relieve itching, moisten and nourish the skin. For external use only.²