Jerusalem cherry

• Alternative names
• Definition
• Poisonous Ingredient
• Where Found
• Symptoms

• Home Treatment
• Before Calling Emergency
• Poison Control, or a local emergency number
• What to expect at the emergency room
• Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names   

Definition    Return to top

Poisoning caused by consumption of plant material from the Jerusalem cherry.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

• solanocapsine

Where Found    Return to top

• Jerusalem cherry
• The toxin is found throughout the plant but especially in the unripened fruit and leaves.

Symptoms    Return to top

• body as a whole
  • headache
  • drowsiness
• respiratory
  • slowed breathing
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • dilated pupils
• heart and blood vessels
  • slow pulse
  • low blood pressure
• gastrointestinal
  • abdominal pain
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
• nervous system
  • psychosis

Home Treatment    Return to top

Call the Poison Control center for guidance. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed.

Before Calling Emergency    Return to top

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the plant and parts eaten
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number    Return to top

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the person to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the plant with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room    Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Induce vomiting.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Activated charcoal.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Death has been reported but is rare.