Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: What kind of plants would cause the symptoms of anti-freeze poisoning?
QUESTION:
My father- in-law is currently in the hospital. His symptoms started as boils
on legs and then on the head and neck area, his potassium level at admittance
to the hospital was 2.2 and his heart rate was elevated.The doctors have run
tests and have found chemical reading in his blood that implies he has ingested
anti-freeze,( he has not). Is there an herb that would cause this chemical in
his blood? The chemical is similar to ethylene glycol. The doctors have run
all kinds of tests and have found no cause for this. I was curious as to if
there is an herb or plant that would cause these symptoms.
ANSWER:
There is a solvent similar to ethylene glycol that was once used to dissolve sulfa
drugs to make medicine preparations. It was banned in the US in the 1930's, but
might still be used by those making herbal pills. I don't have the formula or
name here at home, but diethylene glycol ether rings a bell. Symptoms are similar
to ethylene glycol poisoning. I would like to hear more about this. Do you think
he took anything like this?