Health promotion through herb information: a special discussion of GEGEMU herb in yoruba setting of Nigeria

Gegemu herb (Datura Stramonium) is a plant that is common in the environment. It is a cosmopolitan weed of word wide distribution. It is found in many countries. The herb is widely available and dominates the surroundings of houses in Yoruba land. However, only few people know about its uses, toxicity and hazards. This paper is a review on Gegemu herb, the toxic effects of the plant and the various uses in Yoruba land. The paper recommendations that information about gegemu should be made known to the public through print and other mass media, Librarians should make efforts to communicate indigenous knowledge and herb information to the community and Researchers on health sciences and pharmacology are urged to further study this plant for the benefits of mankind. Keywords: Gegemu Herb, Datura Stramonium, Herb Information, Health Promotion.

An outbreak of acute toxicity caused by eating food contaminated with datura stramonium

The authors report methods used to characterize an outbreak of food-borne acute toxicity among the labour force of a cotton plantation in Middle Awash Agricultural Development Enterprise in July and August 1984. Among 1492 patients seen at the Enterprise and Ministry of Health clinics during this period; 688 (46.1 per cent) exhibited unusual signs and symptoms. Thirty three patients required hospitalization for intensive medical care while nine patients were reported to have died due to this condition.Contamination of corn flour with pesticides was initially suspected and laboratory animal tests were carried out which failed to show any signs of acute toxicity. Investigation of the source of the corn and its processing was simultaneously conducted and revealed the contamination of the corn with seeds of an indigenous plant identified as Datura stramonium; an antimuscarinic alkaloid. These alkaloids contain hyoscine and hyoscyamine which is known to have toxic effect on the exocrine glands; heart; and the autonomic nervous system in man. Signs and symptoms observed in the patients and preventive measures implemented are discussed