Duranta erecta 假連翹

POISONOUS PARTS

Fruits.⁴

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  Not identified.

• Poisoning Features

  Swollen lips, swollen eyelids, haematemesis, confusion, coma and convulsion.⁵

• Poisoning Events

  Only 1 case of D. erecta poisoning in human has been reported in 1895. Since then there are no reports of human poisoning.⁵

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment.

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Shrubs, often scandent, 1.5–3 m tall; branches spiny. Leaves opposite, sometimes whorled; leaf blades papery, 2–6.5 × 1.5–3.5 cm, margin entire to crenate distally, pubescent. Racemes often arranged in panicles. Calyx-tubes 5‑veined, pubescent. Corolla often bluish purple, about 8 mm long, slightly irregular 5‑lobed. Stamens inclusive. Drupes about 5 mm in diameter, orange-yellow, shiny.⁶

MEDICINAL USES

Uses in TCM—fruits: activate blood and relieve pain, control malaria, induce abortion; leaves (for external use only): dissipate stasis and remove toxin. Recommended dose: 14–20 fruits.^2,7,8