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toxidrome

Tannic acid/tannin toxidrome

botanicals

definition

tannic acid/tannin toxidrome

the following toxicity information is largely derived from poisonings, overdoses and research on isolated constituents; used with appropriate clinical judgment and cautious prescribing, herbs are safe and efficacious

plants included:

» Aspidosperma tomentosum, Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco

» Filipendula ulmaria

» Ginkgo biloba

» Hamamelis virginiana

» Juglans nigra, Juglans cinerea

» Quercus alba

» Rhus aromatica, Rhus glabra

plants containing tannins but with no reported cases of toxicity:

» Agrimonia eupatoria

» Leptandra virginica

• isolated tannins have been shown to have carcinogenic potential while others have carcinostatic properties (Keeler and Tu, p. 254; Morton, p. 361)

• tannic acid/tannin toxidrome: rectal enemas containing tannic acid have caused severe liver necrosis (U.S. Dispensatory, pp. 1379-1381). Safety factors regarding the absorption of excess amounts of tannins through open wounds have been questioned (von Oettingen, p. 127)

footnotes

Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.

Lampe, K.F., and McAnn, M.A. 1985. AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants. Chicago: American Medical Association.

Morton, J.F. 1977. Major Medicinal Plants: Botany, Culture, Uses. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.

atural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.

Lampe, K.F., and McAnn, M.A. 1985. AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants. Chicago: American Medical Association.

Morton, J.F. 1977. Major Medicinal Plants: Botany, Culture, Uses. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.

iladelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.