A case of oduvanthalai poisoning

Cleistanthus collinus or Oduvanthalai or odukanthazhai poisoning though rare, incidences of this poison has been reported now and then. It is a very common plant poison in rural South India, with a poor outcome. Increase in age, underlying chronic diseases of kidneys and heart decides the outcome of the case. Suicidal or accidental ingestion of the plant poison causes hypokalemia, arrhythmias, metabolic acidosis, ARDS and eventually death. Death is mainly due to its alkaloid Cleistanthin A and B and oduvan.