Aleurites Moluccana, often referred to as “Nuez de la India”, has been purported to be an effective weight loss supplement. Unfortunately, these non-toxic candlenuts have been mistaken for this which has resulted in toxicity?
Due to similar appearances, candlenuts have been inadvertently substituted with yellow oleander seeds resulting in cardiac glycoside poisoning and even death. In a recent case report published by Corocoran J et al., a 63 year old female presented to the ED with nausea and vomiting that progressed to bradycardia, hyperkalemia, ventricular fibrillation and death after ingesting 5 seeds of what she believed to be candelnuts for weight loss. The seeds were analyzed and found to contain peruvoside.
Corocoran J et al. Fatal Yellow Oleander Poisoning Masquerading as Benign Candlenut ingestion taken for weight loss. J Emerg Med 2020; 59(6): pages e209-e212.