This document discusses various poisonous plants found in India and their effects. It classifies plant poisons into four categories based on the part of the body affected: oropharyngeal, gastric, intestinal, and dermal irritants. It then examines several specific poisonous plants in detail, including their active chemical constituents, traditional uses, symptoms of poisoning, and chemical tests to detect them. The plants discussed are opium poppy, nux vomica, cannabis, deadly nightshade, and jimsonweed. Nightshade is highlighted as it is used as an antidote for organophosphate and carbamate insecticide poisoning.

2. INTRODUCTION
• As we know that India is a tropical country and rich in wide ranges of flora and fauna.
• Most of the population in India belongs to rural area and they are full dependent on these flora and
fauna for their livelihood (food and income).
• Many of the plants grown are poisonous.
• Due to their poisonous nature, there are many incidents of accidental poisoning due to their intake
without any intentions.
• As we know that plants are widely used for medical purposes, sometimes toxicity occurs due to wrong
medications.
• Many cases occur in children as these plants are attractive and easily accessible to them. Without any
knowledge, they intake any part of plant causing harm to themselves.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF PLANT POISON
Plant
Poison
Neurotic
Papaver
somniferum
Spinal
Strychnous
nux vomica
Cerebral
Cannabis
sativa,
Dhatura
fastusa
Cardiac
Nicotiana
tabacum,
Digitalis
purpurea
Irritant
Croton
tiglium,
Abrus
precatoriu
s
Miscellaneous
Ergot,
Oleander

4. CLASSIFICATION OF PLANT POISON
 These plant poisons can be classified in 4 categories:
1. Oropharyngeal Irritant Plants: These plants affect the airway of the body. Some examples of these
plants are Elephant ear plant, Philodendron, Pothos, Dumbcane, etc.
2. Gastric Irritant Plants: These plants directly affect the stomach of a person. Examples of this poisons
are Castor, Croton, Red Pepper, Marking Nut, Mayapple, etc.
3. Intestinal Irritant Plants: These plants have direct or indirect effects on the intestine of a person.
Examples of these poisonous plants include Horse Chestnut, English Ivy, Baneberry, etc.
4. Dermal Irritant Plants: These plants affects the skin of human body. Examples of these plants are
agave, Cashew, Garlic, Primrose, Stinging Nettle, etc

5. PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM LINN.
 Papaver somniferum is a neurotic plant poison.
 It belongs to family Papaveraceae.
 It is also known as Poppy Plant.
 There are about 25 active alkaloids but major active principles are:
i. Morphine- 10- 20%
ii. Narcotine- 0.75- 10%
iii. Papaverine- 0.5- 1.0%
iv. Thebaine- 0.2- 0.8%
v. Codiene- 0.2- 0.8%
vi. Narceine- 0.1- 0.5%

6.  The alkaloid is obtained from the milky exude of the unripe capsule which is dried for further uses.
 Opium is abused in many forms in different countries. It is also used for smoking in many festive
occasions.
 It is also used medicinally, for example codeine is used in many cough syrups.
 The 3 stages of poisoning are: Excitement, Depression and Deep Coma.
 Other symptoms that are observed include: Vomiting, Purging and convulsions.
 Test for detection of opium alkaloids:
A. FROHDE’S TEST: Suspected sample was taken and Frohde’s reagent was added to it. Violet colour
changes to blue and final colour which is observed is blue.
B. MARQUIS TEST: Dried residue of the sample was taken in a porcelain basin and 1 drop of Marquis
Reagent was added. Purple red colour is produced which changes to violet and final blue colour.

7. STRYCHNOS NUX VOMICA LINN.
 Strychnos nux vomica is a Spinal Plant Poison.
 It belongs to family Loganiaceae.
 It is most commonly known as Kuchila and Kuchla in India.
 The major active principles are Strychnine and Brucine.
 Strychnine and Brucine are obtained from the seeds of ripe fruits.
 Brucine can also be obtained from the bark, root and leaves of the plant.
 Strychnine is used as an insecticides to kill rodents and vermin. It is also used as a respiratory stimulant.

8.  Symptoms of Strychnine poisoning includes: Chocking sensation in throat, increased CNS activity,
cyanosis, blood strained froth, contraction of respiratory muscles.
 Tests for the presence of strychnine:
A. MANDELIN’S TEST: Brucine- free residue is taken and 1 drop of mandelin reagent was added. A
deep violet- blue or deep purple colour is observed which changes to yellow colour when left for long
time.
B. PLAY OF COLOURS TEST: Brucine- free residue was taken in a porcelain plate and conc.
Sulphuric acid was added to it. A crystal of potassium dichromate is also added and play of colours
are observed. The blue colour changes to violet which then changes to reddish purple, red, orange and
finally leading to a yellow colour.

9. CANNABIS SATIVA LINN.
 Cannabis sativa is a Cerebral Plant Poisons.
 It is also known as Indian Hemp and Marijuana.
 It contains many active constituents such as Cannabinol, Cannabidiol and cannabidolic acid. But major
active principle of Cannabis sativa is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
 THC exists in isomeric forms out of which -9 THC is most common.
 Active constituents can be obtained from different parts of the plants including leaves, fruiting tops and
shoots.
 Cannabis is used in different forms such as Ganja, Bhang and Charas.

10.  It can be directly injected into the body or can be inhaled using cigarettes.
 Symptoms of Cannabis poisoning include: feeling of well- being and happiness, but high doses cause
fear, panic and confusion, increased pulse rate, drowsiness, hallucinations, slurred speech, irregular
breathing.
 Tests for detection of Cannabis are:
A. FAST BLUE B REAGENT: Extract suspected for the presence of cannabis was taken and Fast Blue
B reagent was added along with 1ml of Chloroform. It was shaken and kept for 2 minutes. The
chloroform layer become purple- red in colour.
B. DUQUENOIS- LEVINE TEST: residue was taken and Duquenois- Levine reagent was added. It
was shaken for about 1 min and conc. HCl was added. Again shaken and allowed to stand for 10
minutes. If any colour develops, 2ml of chloroform was added. The chloroform layers become violet
in colour at bottom.

11. ATROPA BELLADONNA LINN
 Atropa belongs to Solanaceae family.
 It is a Cerebral Plant Poison.
 It is commonly known as Deadly Nightshade.
 The major active principle of Atropa is Atropine.
 It also contains other alkaloids- Hyoscine and Belladonine.
 All parts of the plant including root, leaves, stems and seed contain active principle.
 It is used as an antidote for the poisoning caused by organophosphorous and Carbamates insecticides.
 It is mainly misunderstood by children as these look like other berries.

12.  Symptoms of Atropa poisoning involves blurred vision, high body temperature, hallucinations,
delirium, confusion, memory disturbance, depression and circulatory system collapse.
 Tests for detection of Atropa are:
A. VITALI’S TEST: Residue of the extract was taken in a porcelain basin and fuming nitric acid was
added. It is then evaporated to dryness on a water bath. It is cooled and freshly prepared alcoholic
caustic potash was added, resulting in formation of violet colour, which changes to red colour and
disappears after sometime.
B. GERRARD’S TEST: To the residue of the extract, Gerrard’s reagent was added. An immediate red
colour development confirms the presence of Atropa.

13. DHATURA FASTUOSA LINN.
 Dhatura is a Cerebral Plant Poison.
 It is commonly known as Dhatura.
 The main active principles are Hyoscine, Hyoscyamine and Atropine.
 All parts of the plants contain these active principles which are poisonous but seeds and fruits are most
toxic.
 The seeds of Dhatura are used as stupefying agent.
 Symptoms of Dhatura poisoning involves dry mouth, slurred speech, dilated pupil, drunken gait,
delirium, agitation, hallucinations, amnesia.

14. MCQ
 Which poison is used as an antidote for organophosphorous and Carbamates Poisonin?
i. Dhatura
ii. Atropa
iii. Cannabis
iv. Nux Vomica