Poisonous plants: A review

Abstract

The aim of this review is to provide a report on poisonous medicinal plants using for various treatments. The term poisonous designates many kinds of reactions or effects. The poisonous plant may be irritant, causing skin rashes, skin photosensitization causing allergic reaction. Plant can differ by degree of toxicity and may be classify into three different categories Extremely, Moderately or Minimally. Poisonous nature of plant is due to the presence of Alkaloids Glycosides, Minerals, Oxalates, Photosensitizing compounds, toxic polypeptides or amines or resins. This paper listed the poisonous plants which are found in India. The poisonous plants are alphabetically arranged along with their botanical name, common name, family, poisonous parts, toxins, their toxic effects and photos have been summarized. Many species of toxic plants has been reported from different plant families. Mostly the poisonous parts of toxic plants have been reported to be seeds, roots, root barks, fruits, stems, stem barks, tubers, bulbs and sometimes whole plant. This information is most important for pharmaceutical companies to formulate drugs.