Four prisoners drank a decoction of yew (Taxus baccata) needles containing the toxic alkaloid taxine++ B. Two died in prison (one in the cell, the other shortly after admission to prison hospital, death was caused in both cases by cardiac arrest). Two other prisoners were admitted to the Warsaw
BACKGROUND
Yew (Taxus baccata) is a conifer known to be toxic since ancient times. Taxine A and taxine B, the toxic alkaloids of Taxus, block cardiac sodium and calcium channels causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory distress, coma, seizures, and death in yew