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PLEASE NOTE:
"Poisonous" does not mean deadly. Some manifestations of toxicity are subtle. The dose, as always, determines if a plant is safe source of nutrients or a toxic hazard.

Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions

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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?