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Antidotes are medicinal substances used to counteract the harmful effects of toxins or drugs in the body. They function in various ways, each uniquely designed to combat specific toxic compounds.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Mistletoe Eradicator - A Novel Tool for Simultaneous Mechanical and Chemical Control of Mistletoe

Mistletoe Eradicator - A Novel Tool for Simultaneous Mechanical and Chemical Control of Mistletoe

Published on: March 1, 2022

Holiday plants with toxic misconceptions.

Zabrina N Evens¹, Samuel J Stellpflug

¹Regions Hospital Toxicology Education and Clinical Services, St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine

|January 30, 2013

Summary

Holiday plants like poinsettia and mistletoe have toxic reputations. This review examines their risks and management strategies for accidental exposures, clarifying common misconceptions about these festive flora.

Area of Science:

Toxicology
Ethnobotany
Environmental Health

Background:

Winter holidays feature numerous decorative plants with established toxic reputations.
Commonly used plants include poinsettia, holly, bittersweet, Jerusalem cherry, and mistletoe.
Public perception of these plants' toxicity often differs from scientific evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the toxicological profiles of popular holiday plants.
To evaluate the scientific basis for their reputed toxicity.
To provide evidence-based management guidelines for exposures.

Main Methods:

Literature review of toxicological data and case reports.
Analysis of plant constituents and known toxic effects.
Examination of clinical presentations and treatment outcomes.

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Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

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Published on: October 2, 2016

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Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Mistletoe Eradicator - A Novel Tool for Simultaneous Mechanical and Chemical Control of Mistletoe

Mistletoe Eradicator - A Novel Tool for Simultaneous Mechanical and Chemical Control of Mistletoe

Published on: March 1, 2022

Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Published on: October 2, 2016

Main Results:

Poinsettia, holly, and bittersweet generally cause mild, self-limiting gastrointestinal upset or dermatitis.
Jerusalem cherry berries can cause more significant gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms.
Mistletoe (American and European) contains toxic glycosides, with European mistletoe posing a higher risk.

Conclusions:

Many holiday plants possess a lower toxicity than commonly believed.
Accurate identification and understanding of specific plant toxins are crucial for effective management.
Public education is needed to address misconceptions and ensure appropriate care for exposures.