Syrian rue tea: a recipe for disaster.
Peganum harmala, commonly called "Syrian rue," is native to countries around the Mediterranean sea and western United States. Known for its sedative effects when consumed by farm animals, its seeds have stimulant and hallucinogenic effects at low doses (3-4 g when eaten) in humans. Its active ingredients harmaline and harmine have monoamine oxidase inhibitor properties. A 41-year-old female prepared a hot drink by boiling approximately 100 g of P. harmala seeds in water (10-20 times the recommended dose for "calming one's nerves"). Upon presentation to the emergency department, she was unconscious and had hypertension, tachycardia, and tachypnea. Hepatic and renal function markers were grossly elevated. After intubation, she improved with supportive care over the course of five days. Her level of consciousness, renal and hepatic markers gradually returned to normal. Poisoning with high doses of Peganum harmala can be life-threatening, although patients usually recover with supportive therapy alone.
Yuruktumen
Aslihan
A
Kent Hospital, Emergency Department, 8229 s no: 30 Cigli, Izmir 35580, Turkey. a.yuruktumen@deu.edu.tr
Karaduman
Sevilay
S
Bengi
Fecri
F
Fowler
John
J
D000328:Adult; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000506:poisoning*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D032443:Peganum / Q000506:poisoning*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000506:poisoning; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects; D012639:Seeds / Q000506:poisoning; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts