Urginea sanguinea: medicinal wonder or death in disguise?

The Southern African plant, Urginea sanguinea Shinz (Hyacinthaceae) is well-known for its poisonous affects on livestock, but it is widely used as herbal medicines by traditional healers. It is most frequently used as a blood purifier, abortifacient, treatment for venereal diseases, abdominal pain, backache and hypertension. In this article we discuss the plant's morphology, distribution, medicinal values but also poisonous characteristics. Furthermore, we discuss the most important chemical components, with special reference to the significance and physiological action of the cardiac glycoside (CG), Transvaalin. Emphasis is placed on the physiological mechanism of CG toxicity involving the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase pump. This pump is of extreme importance, especially in conducting tissues such as nerve fibers, cardiac-, skeletal- and smooth muscles. Furthermore, we summarize the medicinal uses, the systems it influence as well the adverse effects in case of over dosage.