Forensic Sci Int. 1999 May; 101(3): 177-83.

Findings in fatal cases of poisoning attributed to traditional remedies in South Africa.

Stewart MJ, Moar JJ, Steenkamp P, Kokot M.

Department of Chemical Pathology (SAIMR), University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, South African Institute for Medical Research, Parktown, Gauteng, South Africa. 158mike@chiron.wits.ac.za

An analysis of the Johannesburg forensic database over the years 1991-1995 revealed 206 cases in which a traditional remedy was either stated to be the cause of death or was found to be present in a case of poisoning with an unknown substance. The range of toxins detected was wide, with herbal materials being found in 43% of cases, and pharmaceutical or agri-chemicals in 20% and 33% respectively. Since there are as yet no standard methods for the detection of many herbal remedies or their metabolites, careful analysis, using methods such as HPLC/MS, are mandatory for the correct identification of the true cause in cases of poisoning ascribed to traditional remedies.