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Assessing mistletoe toxicity.

A H Hall, D G Spoerke, B H Rumack

Annals of Emergency Medicine

|November 1, 1986

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Ingesting small amounts of American mistletoe, like 1-3 berries or 1-2 leaves, is unlikely to cause serious toxicity. Most cases of mistletoe ingestion result in no symptoms.

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Area of Science:

Toxicology
Ethnobotany
Plant Toxicity

Background:

Mistletoe (Phoradendron sp) is a plant with historical and cultural significance.
Concerns exist regarding the potential toxicity of mistletoe ingestion, particularly in cases of accidental exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the toxicity of American mistletoe (Phoradendron sp) following ingestion of small quantities.
To assess the clinical outcomes and potential adverse effects associated with mistletoe berry and leaf consumption.

Main Methods:

Retrospective review of 14 cases of American mistletoe ingestion (1-3 berries or 1-2 leaves) from 1982-1985.
Analysis of 318 additional cases reported to poison control systems (1978-1984).
Clinical observation and telephone follow-up for symptomatic assessment.

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Main Results:

None of the 14 patients in the initial case series developed symptoms after ingesting mistletoe.
Of the 318 reported cases, the majority remained asymptomatic, and no fatalities were recorded.
Medical interventions, such as induced emesis, were administered in some cases but revealed no significant toxicity beyond the intervention itself.

Conclusions:

Ingestion of 1-3 American mistletoe berries or 1-2 leaves is associated with a low risk of serious toxicity.
The available data suggest that accidental ingestion of small amounts of Phoradendron sp is generally safe.