The New York City Department of Health investigated seven cases of anticholinergic poisoning in members of three families. Three of these persons required emergency medical treatment. All became ill within two hours after drinking tea made from leaves purchased commercially and labeled as Paraguay tea. Paraguay tea is an herbal tea derived from the Ilex paraguariensis plant, a plant native to South America. Symptoms of anticholinergic poisoning include: disorientation; agitation; dilated and nonreactive pupils; dry skin and mucous membranes; absent bowel sounds. Samples of the tea were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Belladona alkaloids atropine, scopalamine, and hyoscyamine were identified. The tea had been purchased in South America by a grocery store that specialized in South American foods. The remaining tea was quarantined.