Evaluating exposures to plants.

Exposures to plants generate an exceptional amount of public concern, especially plant ingestions by children. Most clinical problems, however, involve older age groups as a result of experimentation with or overt abuse of plant parts and extracts. Of mounting concern is the sometimes uninformed and massive use of herbal preparations, currently widely available and in popular vogue. Plant exposures, from whatever source, may present as complex pharmacologic problems that may challenge the diagnostic and therapeutic skills of the physician. Although specific physiologic antagonists (antidotes) may exist for specific intoxications, basic decontamination and supportive techniques are many times all that may be offered.