Snakeroot
Avoid snakeroot
Ageratina altissima
Avoid snakeroot. The toxicity has been associated with tremetol, a relatively crude, multicomponent lipophilic extract of the snakeroot plant. Trematone, a ketone, is believed to be the primary toxin. Indian snakeroot contains chemicals such as reserpine that decrease heart rate and blood pressure. Snakeroot might make gallbladder disease worse. Stop using Indian snakeroot at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Congestive heart failure with myocardial degeneration, necrosis and fibrosis; hepatic necrosis and lipidosis may be present when there is toxic snakeroot symptoms. At autopsy hepatic congestion and lipidosis and variable cardiac hemorrhages can be present.
