Aconitine poisoning: a global perspective

The circumstances under which poisoning by the Aconitum species or their derivatives occurred since 1950s are reviewed. Aconitine poisoning is far more common in Asia, particularly China and Hong Kong, than in the western countries. This may be because of the widespread use of herbal medicines by the Asian communities. Outside Asia, poisoning usually occurs after ingesting the wild plant of the Aconitum species. Asians may still have easy access to herbal medicines even when living in western countries.