Rev Med Chil. 2002 Dec; 130(12): 1407-10.

[Herbal medicines and severe adverse effects: uvular angioedema caused by Echballium elaterium]

Caiozzi G, Cabrera D, MardÃ³nez JM, SaldÃas F.

Departamento de Medicina y Servicio de Urgencia, Hospital ClÃnico de la Pontificia Universidad CatÃ³lica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Herbal medicine is a growing alternative for established medicine. Many plants and herbs are currently in use for a myriad of diseases and symptoms. However, there are many reports in the literature of life-threatening adverse effects of these drugs. We report a 39 years old male, that consulted for pain in the nostrils and severe nasal obstruction, that appeared two hours after instilling Ecballium elaterirum in the nostrils. On physical examination, uvular edema was observed. The patient was successfully managed with intravenous betametasone and chlorphenamine.