Anticholinergic Syndrome and Supraventricular Tachycardia Caused by Lavender Tea Toxicity

Abstract

Lavender plants have been used for their cosmetic and biologic benefits for many centries. Extracts fromLavandulaplants have been found to cause antimuscarinic effects by blocking sodium and calcium ion channels inin vitroandin vivostudies. We present a case of poisoning by ingestion of tea made fromLavenderstoechas( grass). The patient was admitted to our emergency department with supraventricular tachycardia due to anticholinergic syndrome triggered by drinking lavender tea. On electrocardiography, a narrow QRS complex tachycardia was evident. After carotid sinus massage, the patient immediately returned to sinus rhythm. There are no reported data about the toxicity ofLavender stoechasplants with respect to supraventricular tachycardia, anticholinergic syndrome or sympathetic nerve activity.