Syrian rue tea: a recipe for disaster.
Aslihan Yuruktumen, Sevilay Karaduman, Fecri Bengi, John Fowler
Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) September 2008 DOI: 10.1080/15563650701323205 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A 41-year-old female patient |
| Intervention | Supportive care |
| Duration | 5 days |
| Key findings | Ingestion of a large dose of Peganum harmala seeds caused severe poisoning with unconsciousness, hypertension, tachycardia, tachypnea, and elevated hepatic and renal markers; the patient recovered with supportive care over five days. |
Abstract
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.