Erythrophleum suaveolens vs Acokanthera Oppositifolia

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Erythrophleum suaveolens

Cardiovascular

Acokanthera Oppositifolia

Acokanthera oppositifolia

Cardiovascular

⚠️ Pregnancy & Nursing Warnings

Erythrophleum suaveolens

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Acokanthera Oppositifolia

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

West African tree historically used in tribal ordeal ceremonies; highly toxic but used in controlled doses for pain.

South African shrub containing highly toxic cardiac glycosides, used in extremely dilute traditional preparations for pain and as a hunting arrow poison.

Active Compounds

cassaine, erythrophleine, alkaloids

ouabain, acokantherine, cardenolides, cardiac glycosides

Traditional Uses

Ordeal poison in West African traditions, Cardiac stimulant traditionally, Arrow poison

arrow poison, toothache, snakebite, skin conditions — topically only

Modern Uses

Cardiac research (cassaine), Highly controlled research use only

cardiac glycoside research only

Adult Dosage

NEVER for self-medication - potentially lethal

Extremely dangerous; only topical traditional use

Contraindications

Lethal in small doses - cardiac glycoside-like, ALL conditions

internal use absolutely contraindicated, pregnancy, children, cardiac disease

Side Effects

Death from cardiac arrest

fatal cardiac arrest with minimal overdose

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E

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