Autopsy case: Vitiligo death from self-medication by <i>Ammi visnaga</i> poisoning

We report a fatal case of <i>Ammi visnaga</i> poisoning at Tangier's Forensic Medicine Department.An 18-year-old woman self-medicated with <i>Ammi visnaga</i> powder to treat her vitiligo. She experienced a wide range of symptoms and rapid clinical deterioration with a fatal outcome. The autopsy revealed lesions consistent with cutaneous vitiligo, necrosis of the liver, kidneys, lungs and pancreas. Toxicological and histological analysis confirmed chronic inflammation and acute systemic damage, highlighting <i>Ammi visnaga</i>'s potential toxicity. Its bioactive components vary, with the toxic dose estimated at 1 g per kg. This case demonstrates that prolonged consumption of herbal remedies like <i>Ammi visnaga</i> can be dangerous and indeed fatal. Raising public awareness on the dangers of self-medication and need for medical supervision and education on the dosage and side effects of <i>Ammi visnaga</i> is essential. The marketing of these products by non-professionals should be restricted.