Poisoned after Dinner: Dolma with Datura Stramonium

Nezihat Rana Disel; Mustafa Yilmaz; Zeynep Kekec; Meryem Karanlik

doi:10.5505/1304.7361.2015.70894

Nezihat Rana Disel¹, Mustafa Yilmaz², Zeynep Kekec¹, Meryem Karanlik³

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
²Department of Emergency Clinic, Necip Fazil City Hospital, Kahranmaras, Turkey
³Department of Emergency Clinic, Kilis Government Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey

Keywords: Anticholinergic effects; Datura stramonium; plant poisoning; rhabdomyolysis

Abstract

Datura stramonium, which is also known as Thorn Apple or Jimson Weed, is an alkaloid containing plant that is entirely toxic. The active toxic constituents of the plant are atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine. It has been abused worldwide for hundreds of years because of its hallucinogenic properties. Previous reports have shown that herbal medication overdose and accidental food contamination are ways it can cause poisoning. Herein we present a family that had three of its members poisoned after eating a traditional meal “dolma” made of datura flowers. None had fatal complications and all were discharged healthy. Datura stromonium may be used accidentally as a food ingredient. Since its poisonous effects are not known, people should be informed and warned about the effects of this plant.