Turkiye Klinikleri J Neur 2011;6(1) 36
hysalis alkekengi is known to have antioxidant, antitussive, mucoly-
tic and sedative properties as an herbal remedy. It is consumed in sal-
ads or cooked in meals in Turkey. We present three cases which
presented with neurological symptoms following comsumption of physalis
alkekengi.
CASE REPORTS
CASES 1 AND 2
A 72-year-old male patient (Patient #1), complaining of seizures, and his
66 year old wife (Patient #2), complaining of nausea, vomiting and numb-
ness in extremities, were brought into the emergency department (ED) by
Chinese Lantern (Physalis Alkekengi)
Intoxication: Case Report
ABSTRACT Physalis alkekengi, aka Chinese lantern or ground cherry, is consumed as an herbal
remedy or cooked in meals in Turkey, as well as in some other countries. Physalis alkekengi is a
member of Papaveraceae family. It is native to Europe, central Asia and Japan. Physalis alkekengi
is known to have antioxidant, antitussive, mucolytic and sedative properties local population in
Turkey also use this plant for treating urinary tract infections, and pain from kidney stones, arthri-
tis and rheumatism. Various plants have been reported to cause intoxications, which results in cen-
tral nervous system excitation and convulsions. We present three cases which presented to our
emergency department with neurological symptoms following comsumption of physalis alkekengi.
Key Words: Seizures; poisoning; physalis
ÖZET Gelin otu bitkisi olarak bilinen Physalis alkekengi gerek ülkemizde gerekse diğer ülkelerde
hem herbal olarak hem de yemek şeklinde sıkça tüketilmektedir. Physalis alkekengi bitkisi
gelincikgiller familyasının örnek bitkisidir. Bitkinin anavatanı Avrupa, Orta Asya ve Japonya’dır.
Physalis alkekengi’nin, antioksidan, antitusif, mukolitik, sedatif özelliklere sahip olduğu
bilinmektedir. Türkiye'de yöresel olarak; idrar yolu enfeksiyonları, böbrek taşları, artrit, romatizmal
ağrılarda kullanılmaktadır. Çeşitli bitkilerin santral sinir sistemi eksitasyonu ve konvülziyonla
seyreden intoksikasyonlara neden olduğu bildirilmiştir. Biz acil servisimize Physalis alkekengi
yedikten sonra nörolojik şikâyetlerle başvuran 3 olgumuzu sunmak istedik.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Nöbetler; zehirlenme; physalis
Turkiye Klinikleri J Neur 2011;6(1):36-8
Emine AKINCI, MD,
a
Ahmet Ali SEZER, MD,
a
Figen COŞKUN, MD
a
a
Emergency Medicine Clinic,
Ankara Research and Training Hospital,
Ankara
Geliş Tarihi/Received: 17.11.2010
Kabul Tarihi/Accepted: 03.02.2011
Yazışma Adresi/Correspondence:
Emine AKINCI, MD
Ankara Training and Research Hospital,
Emergency Medicine Clinic, Ankara,
TÜRKİYE/TURKEY
emineakinci@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2011 by Türkiye Klinikleri
OLGU SUNUMU