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Tag: Plant toxicity

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

What plants are anticholinergic? Identifying toxic flora

5 min read
Over 2,000 species of plants, many within the nightshade family, contain the potent anticholinergic compounds known as tropane alkaloids. Understanding **what plants are anticholinergic** is crucial, as ingestion of these can lead to severe, and sometimes fatal, toxicity.

The Poison and the Remedy: What Does Foxglove Do to Humans?

4 min read
Every part of the foxglove plant (*Digitalis purpurea*) contains cardiac glycosides, powerful compounds that can be both a potent poison and a life-saving medicine [1.2.5]. Understanding what foxglove does to humans reveals a fascinating intersection of botany, medicine, and toxicology.

The Potent Heart-Stopper: What Does Foxglove Do to Your Body?

4 min read
The beautiful foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea) is the source of compounds used in critical heart medicine, yet all parts of the plant are poisonous [1.3.1]. So, **what does foxglove do to your body** on a chemical level? It powerfully affects the heart's contractions and rhythm [1.2.1, 1.4.2].

Exploring the 'White Lily Drug': Myths, Traditional Uses, and Modern Context

4 min read
Historically, various plants referred to as “white lily” have been used in traditional medicine across different cultures, but the term does not refer to a single, modern pharmaceutical drug. From Mayan rituals using water lilies with psychoactive properties to European folk remedies involving the Madonna lily, the history behind the idea of a 'white lily drug' is complex and refers to several distinct plant species with different effects.

Is Colchicum Safe to Take? Understanding the Drug and the Toxic Plant

5 min read
The autumn crocus plant, *Colchicum autumnale*, contains the highly toxic alkaloid colchicine, but the prescribed medication derived from it can be safe when used correctly. A single raw bulb, consumed by mistake, can be fatal. Therefore, understanding the crucial difference is a matter of life and death.