Fast Five Quiz: Toxic Plants

Figure 2. Asian ginseng.

The most well-known plants having hypoglycemic potential include:

• Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

• Bitter melon gourd (Momordica charantia)

• Climbing ivy gourd (Coccinia indica)

• Mamijava (Enicostemma littorale)

• Asian ginseng (P ginseng) (See image above.)

• American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)

• Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

• Ackee (Blighia sapida)

• Prickly pear (Opuntia robusta)

• Yellow bells (Tecoma stans [family Bignoniaceae])

Hypoglycemia due to the ingestion of ginseng in patients with type 2 diabetes has been reported. Peace lilies and poinsettias have toxic properties, whereas the Christmas cactus is considered nontoxic.

Learn more about hypoglycemic plant poisoning.

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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Richard H. Sinert. Fast Five Quiz: Toxic Plants - Medscape - Nov 23, 2021.