Wikstroemia indica 了哥王

POISONOUS PARTS

Whole plant.⁴

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  Resin acids, saponins, wickstroemin and volatile oils.^4–6

• Toxic Dose

  30 g whole plant (decocted for 30 minutes) has been reported to cause toxicity. Reported lethal dose: 2.55 g raw herbal powder.^5,6

• Mechanism

  The exact mechanism of its toxicity remains unidentified. Large quantities of saponins may irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Resin acids have purgative effect.^6,7

• Poisoning Features

  Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and even death in severe cases.^4–6

• Poisoning Events

  Poisoning cases due to consumption of excessive amount, raw or inadequately decocted W. indica as TCM have been reported in China, including a fatal case in a 2-year-old girl.^5,6

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment. Correction of fluid and electrolyte disturbances.⁵

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Shrubs, 0.5–2 m or taller; branches reddish brown. Leaves opposite, papery to thinly leathery; leaf blades 1.5–5 × 0.5–1.5 cm, glabrous and yellowish green on both surfaces, lateral veins dense. Capitula terminal. Calyx tubular, 0.7–1.2 cm long, yellowish green; lobes 4, about 0.3 cm long. Drupes 0.7–0.8 cm long, red to dark purple when ripe.⁸

MEDICINAL USES

Uses in TCM—branches and leaves: clear heat and remove toxin, resolve phlegm, disperse swelling and dissipate binds, relieve pain; roots or root bark: clear heat and remove toxin, induce diuresis, dissipate binds and eliminate stasis, resolve swelling and relieve pain, kill parasites. Recommended dose: branches and leaves 6–9 g, roots or root bark 10–15g.^2,9,10