Orchis satyrium; an intoxication by a medicinal herb

Yassine ABDELKEFI, Emna GHARBI, Olfa CHAKROUN-WALHA, Noureddine REKIK

Abstract

Introduction: Traditional medicine often employs medication therapies involving the use of herbs and
animal parts. These knowledge traditions are commonly orally communicated. The misuse of these
therapies can be dangerous.
Case report: We present the case of a toxic effect of a widely used herb; Orchis Satyrium. The patient
had presented a multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
Discussion: This case reports an unexpected presentation of a widely used herb in traditional medicine.
Various species of the genus Orchids have frequently been used in black magic. The use of these herbs
can be dangerous; thus, the physician has to be aware by these practices in atypical presentations.