Codiaeum variegatum 變葉木

POISONOUS PARTS

Whole plant, especially the sap.^4,5

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  Diterpene esters such as 5-Deoxyingenol.^5,6

• Mechanism

  Diterpene esters are irritants to skin and mucosal membranes.^5,6

• Poisoning Features

  Skin contact: contact dermatitis, eczema with prolonged contact. Ingestion: burning sensation of the oral cavity, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.^4,7,8

• Poisoning Events

  A 3-year-old child chewed a flower of C. variegatum and felt slight irritation of the oral cavity.⁸

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment.

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Shrubs, up to 3 m tall; branches with leaf scars. Leaves thinly leathery, 5–30 × 0.3–8 cm, very variable in shape and size, usually marked with white, yellow or red. Racemes axillary, 8–30 cm long, flowers with sepals. Male flowers petals 5, white, stamens 20–30. Female flowers yellowish, petals absent, styles recurved. Capsules about 9 mm in diameter, slightly flattened.⁹

MEDICINAL USES

Leaves and roots used in TCM: dissipate stasis and disperse swelling, clear heat and regulate the lung. Recommended dose: 3–6 g.²

LABORATORY ANALYSIS

Diterpene esters can be detected by LC-MS/MS.¹⁰