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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 6) 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 a couple. The 51-year-old woman developed dizziness, numbness of tongue and giddiness while her 54-year-old husband developed dizziness, blurred vision and sleepiness 30 minutes after taking soup containing Radix Fici Simplicissimae on February 26.
The woman sought medical treatment at Alice Ho Nethersole Hospital and was discharged on February 27. Her husband required no medical consultation after his symptoms subsided.
A CHP spokesman said tests of the urine samples of the couple 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 Radix Fici Simplicissimae concerned was bought by the woman in November 2008 from a temporary shop, which, no longer existed in Fu Shin Street in Tai Po.
"As Radix 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.
In 2008, there was another similar case affecting a family of 4 who presented with dizziness, palpitation, blurred vision and lower limb weakness after taking herbal soup containing Padix Fici Simplicissimae which was bought from China and all patients recovered.
In 2007, the CHP received three unlinked reports of poisoning involving gelsemine, including a fatal report after taking some Chinese medicinal herbs or plants.
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.
Ends/Friday, March 6, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:18
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