The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 29) urged members of the public not to collect unknown plants or buy Chinese medicinal herbs of unknown origin and to consult healthcare workers before consuming these substances.
The call was made following a report of poisoning involving four people from the same family who developed dizziness, palpitations, blurred vision and lower limb weakness within one hour after taking soup containing Padix Fici Simplicissimae on February 24.
The four sought medical treatment at Tuen Mun Hospital and were discharged afterwards.
A CHP spokesman said tests of the urine samples of the four patients and the soup remnants by the Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory had revealed the presence of gelsemine which was a natural toxin found in some plants or Chinese medicinal herbs.
The spokesman said herbal medicines containing gelsemine were mainly used for external use to relieve pain or reduce skin bruises.
It was reported that the Padix Fici Simplicissimae concerned was bought by the family from the Mainland.
"As Padix Fici Simplicissimae resembles some plants or Chinese medicinal herbs (e.g. Radix Gelsemii Elegantis), it is believed that there could be mix-up of such substances," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said the CHP was concerned about this kind of poisoning as it could be fatal.
In 2007, the CHP received three reports of poisoning involving gelsemine, including a fatal report.
The first case involved a couple who mis-identified Gelsemium Elegans as another non-toxic plant when they picked up some raw plants from the countryside. The second case involved a family of four who had taken some Chinese medicinal herbs from the Mainland.
In the third case, a member of the public took some plants from an unknown source.
"However, there was no evidence to suggest that these cases were linked," the spokesman said.
He added that a regulatory system had been established to monitor the use, dispensing and sale of Chinese medicinal herbs and ongoing publicity actions were on hand to arouse public awareness over the proper use of this kind of products.
The spokesman reminded members of the public, especially hikers, refrain from picking up plants, including their fruits, roots and stems, from countryside as many of which might contain lethal natural toxins.
"They are also reminded to purchase Chinese medicinal herbs from licensed shops with good reputation. If they feel unwell after taking Chinese medicinal herbs, they should seek advice from healthcare workers immediately," the spokesman said.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200802/29/P200802290299.htm