Datura induced delirium: a report of two cases

ABSTRACT

The native herbal plants belonging to the Solanaceous family are found worldwide including Saudi Arabia. Though the various parts of these plants are used as herbal medicines in the treatment of a variety of diseases, some of them are toxic to humans and animals. We report two cases who treat themselves with cooked Datura leaves for common cold but developed toxic features suggestive of peripheral and central anticholinergic syndromes, in particular delirium. Besides discussing different aspects of Datura poisoning, it is recommended that clinicians working in emergency departments of general and psychiatric hospitals should take relevant history of herbal plant consumption in patients who present with acute delirium, in order to make a correct diagnosis and give specific treatment