✓
No active regulatory warnings
Sources: FDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD📎 Cite 📄 PDF
1 Identity

Tejocote Root

Crataegus mexicana (Mexican Hawthorn root)
Use with CautionEvidence: LimitedRestricted
Tejocote root (Crataegus mexicana) is a Mexican weight-loss supplement that has caused MULTIPLE DEATHS due to contamination with yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana / Cascabela thevetica) — a plant containing cardiac glycosides (thevetin A/B) [1]. FDA has issued multiple warnings about Alipotec® and Elke® brand tejocote root products found to contain yellow oleander instead of or in addition to actual tejocote. Symptoms mimic digitalis toxicity: bradycardia, heart block, hyperkalemia, death. This is not a quality-control issue — it is a lethal adulteration/substitution [1].
4
Tejocote Root
Crataegus mexicana (Mexican Hawthorn root)
Use with CautionEvidence: LimitedRestricted
Clinical verdict: Tejocote root products are KILLING PEOPLE through contamination with yellow oleander (cardiac glycoside). Multiple FDA warnings, poison control cases, and deaths. The cardiac glycosides (thevetin A/B) cause digitalis-like toxicity: bradycardia, heart block, hyperkalemia, cardiac arrest. This is not a 'side effect' — it is POISONING from plant misidentification or deliberate substitution. ALL commercially available tejocote root weight-loss products should be considered potentially contaminated until proven otherwise [1].
RDA
Typical 1 piece/day (marketed dose)
Target range
N/A
Upper limit
No UL established
Evidence
Limited
Population dosing — click to filter
2 Risk self-assessment
HIGH RISK — see overview [1].
Select factors above to see your risk level
Clinical pearl for practitioners
SupplementIndex
Tejocote Root
Crataegus mexicana (Mexican Hawthorn root) · Use with Caution · Evidence: Limited
RDA
Typical 1 piece/day (marketed dose)
Upper limit
No UL established
Evidence
Limited
Clinical bottom line
Tejocote root products are KILLING PEOPLE through contamination with yellow oleander (cardiac glycoside). Multiple FDA warnings, poison control cases, and deaths. The cardiac glycosides (thevetin A/B) cause digitalis-like toxicity: bradycardia, heart block, hyperkalemia, cardiac arrest. This is not a 'side effect' — it is POISONING from plant misidentification or deliberate substitution. ALL commercially available tejocote root weight-loss products should be considered potentially contaminated until proven otherwise [1].
Do not miss
⚠ HIGH RISK — see overview [1]
Pregnancy
ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED — cardiac glycoside poisoning risk [1].
4 Lab interpreter

See overview

<12 Deficient
12–20 Insufficient
20–50 Optimal
50–100 Excess
>150 Toxic
Your level:
Enter a value above
⚕ For healthcare professionals. Does not replace clinical judgment.
5 Quick facts
CategoryRestricted
Safety levelUse with Caution
EvidenceLimited
RDATypical 1 piece/day (marketed dose)
Upper limit (UL)No UL established
Scientific nameCrataegus mexicana (Mexican Hawthorn root)
HIGH RISK — see overview[1]
6 Dosage by population

Adults Moderate

See product label

Elderly Moderate

See product label
Consider reduced renal/hepatic clearance. Start at lower end of range.

Pregnancy Moderate

See guidance
ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED — cardiac glycoside poisoning risk [1].

Pediatric Moderate

See guidance
Not recommended [1].

Athletes Limited

Standard dose

Obesity Limited

Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.

Renal Limited

Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.

Vegan Moderate

Standard dose
HIGH RISK ingredient — see overview for safety concerns [1].
7 Form comparison
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost/day
['Various', 'see overview', 'See overview for forms and risks [1].']StandardCheck label
8 Clinical evidence

Strong evidence

See overview [1]. HIGH

Moderate evidence

See overview [1]. MODERATE

Insufficient evidence

See overview [1]. LOW
9 Safety

🚩 Red flags — when to stop and refer

● HIGH RISK — see overview for critical safety alerts [1]

Pregnancy

ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED — cardiac glycoside poisoning risk [1].

Pediatric

Not recommended [1].
10 Toxicity and overdose

11 Drug interactions
Digoxin Major
Mechanism: If contaminated with oleander: additive cardiac glycoside toxicity — FATAL [1].
Effect: See overview [1].
Action: See overview [1].
12 Supplement interactions
13 Laboratory monitoring
See overview Primary
Target: N/A · N/A
See overview [1].
14 Deficiency and prevalence
0%
[1]

Risk factors

• HIGH RISK — see overview [1].
15 Frequently asked questions
Key safety point ▼
Tejocote root products are KILLING PEOPLE through contamination with yellow oleander (cardiac glycoside). Multiple FDA warnings, poison control cases, and deaths. The cardiac glycosides (thevetin A/B) cause digitalis-like toxicity: bradycardia, heart block, hyperkalemia, cardiac arrest. This is not a 'side effect' — it is POISONING from plant misidentification or deliberate substitution. ALL commercially available tejocote root weight-loss products should be considered potentially contaminated until proven otherwise [1].
16 Regulatory status
See overview for regulatory status: [1].
17 References
[1]FDA. FDA advises consumers to stop using certain tejocote root products marketed for weight loss. Safety Alert. 2022. GOVERNMENT
[2]Eddleston M, et al. Thevetia peruviana poisoning: an evidence-based treatment protocol. Clin Toxicol. 2000;38(4):431-436. REVIEW
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19 Cite this page
Vancouver
Pkhakadze G. Tejocote Root — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: Public Health Institute of Georgia; 2026 [cited 2026 May 30]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/tejocote-root/
APA 7th
Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Tejocote Root — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/tejocote-root/
CC BY 4.0
🛡 SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
GP
Reviewed by Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal · Chair, PHIG
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Next: November 2026
This entry is provided for educational and public health purposes under CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. For corrections: info@accreditation.ge.
Publisher: PHIG · Editor-in-Chief: Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD