November 12th 2025 (Chicago, IL) – SiluetaYa is recalling its Tejocote Root Dietary Supplement after FDA testing revealed the product contains yellow oleander, a highly toxic plant that can cause serious heart rhythm issues, vomiting, dizziness, and other severe symptoms if ingested. Yellow oleander is not just a mislabeled ingredient. It is a poisonous plant that poses a real and immediate health risk. Even in small doses, yellow oleander can be lethal.
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Consumers rely on supplement manufacturers to accurately identify the plants and compounds they use. When a company sells a product labeled as Tejocote root, but it actually contains a toxic plant that can send someone to the hospital, that failure is not a simple mistake. It is a dangerous breach of trust that puts the public at risk.
At Ankin Law, we believe negligent manufacturers must be held fully accountable when their actions endanger consumers. If you or a loved one became sick or suffered injuries after taking a mislabeled or contaminated supplement, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our firm to learn your legal options and protect your health. Call 312-600-0000 for Ankin Law.
What Is Yellow Oleander?
Yellow Oleander is a tropical shrub or small tree native to Mexico and Central and South America. It is upright, evergreen, with glossy green, willow-like leaves, and long, funnel shaped yellow flowers that bloom from summer to fall. The fruit of this tree is a dark red-black. All parts of Cascabela thevetia are toxic to most vertebrates, and should not be ingested. This is especially true of the fruit and seeds.
Ingesting part of a Yellow Oleander plant can lead to:
- Burning sensation in mouth
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
- Slow/irregular heartbeat
- Drowsiness, confusion, lethargy
- Increased heart rate
- Seizures, coma, or death
What Products Are Affected by Tejocote Dietary Supplement Recall?
The recall applies to SiluetaYa Mexican Tejocote Roots Supplement Pieces. The product was sold nationwide online in 8 ounce containers. Each container has an orange, red, yellow, and white label with a green lid.
What Damages Can I Claim?
Victims of yellow oleander-related injuries may be able to recover several types of damages through a product liability lawsuit.
Economic Damages
These damages, often referred to as special damages, are your tangible losses that can be easily quantified in monetary terms based on things like medical bills, lost wages, and lost earning capacity. It is important to keep a record of all the expenses related to your losses, as this can strengthen your case and increase your chances of a fair and full compensation.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-Economic damages, or general damages, are harder to quantify than economic damages, as they are your intangible losses, such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, PTSD, depression, loss of consortium (companionship) and loss of enjoyment of life. Keeping a pain journal detailing your healing journey can help solidify your claim.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are a rarely awarded damage that is designed to punish the negligent party for actions found to be particularly egregious by the court.
Can I Still File a Claim If There’s Been a Recall?
Yes, you can still file a claim after a product has been recalled. Initiating a recall does not absolve responsible parties from liability surrounding the injuries their negligence caused, as long as the injuries happened before or during the recall.
To bring a successful claim, you must be able to prove that the product in question was dangerous, that you used it as intended, that your injuries were caused by the defect. Evidence is key in a situation like this, so be sure to save anything relating to the recalled product and your injuries, and talk to an experienced injury attorney right away.
What Should I Do if I Have a Recalled Product?
If you have this recalled tejocote root dietary supplement, do not consume it. Instead, you should return it to the place of purchase for a refund. You can contact the company via e-mail at contact@siluetaya.com Monday through Friday 10 am – 4 pm EST if you have any questions about the recall.
Other Questions You Might Have About the Tejocote Dietary Supplement Recall
Are there other supplements besides those by SiluetaYa that may contain yellow oleander?
Yes. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings and public health advisories that multiple dietary supplements labelled as Crataegus mexicana (tejocote root), or as “Brazil seed,” “Raiz de Tejocote,” “Mexican Hawthorn,” and similar names, were tested and found to contain yellow oleander instead.
Some of the affected brands include (for example) – Primor Health “Optimus Weight,” India/Nuez de la India style supplements, Alipotec/ELV brands labelled as Mexican Tejocote Root, and others listed by the FDA in its alert.
Because the investigation is ongoing, the FDA has cautioned that additional products may still be on the market.
How can I check whether a supplement I have is affected or at risk?
You should take the following steps:
- Compare your product label to the list of products identified by the FDA. The FDA’s warning advises consumers to stop using any supplement labelled as tejocote root or Brazil seed unless the manufacturer can certify it has been fully tested and verified safe.
- Look for any recent recall notices or safety alerts for your product brand or lot number.
- If your product appears in the list of affected brands (or has similar labeling, such as “Raiz de Tejocote” or “Mexican Hawthorn”), consider it suspect and stop usage immediately.
- Keep the packaging, batch and lot number, purchase receipt — these details can be important for legal/medical follow-up.
If I used a supplement labelled as tejocote root, and I’m fine so far, do I still need to worry?
Yes. Because yellow oleander is a toxic plant with cardiac glycosides (compounds that can disrupt heart rhythm and cause serious cardiovascular, neurologic or gastrointestinal symptoms) even a small amount may pose risk — and symptoms may appear later or be subtle.
The FDA admonishes that “even if these products have not been used recently, consumers should still inform their healthcare provider about which product they took, so that an appropriate evaluation may be conducted.”
What should I do if I experience symptoms after taking a supplement I suspect is contaminated?
If you develop symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, irregular or slow heartbeat, fainting or seizure-type events after taking a supplement labelled as tejocote root or similar, you should:
- Seek medical attention immediately (call 911 in emergencies)
- Inform the treating physician about the specific supplement, label, brand, lot number if possible
- Report the adverse event to the FDA’s MedWatch program (the form is available online)
- Stop using the suspect supplement immediately and preserve the product, packaging and receipt for further investigation
Does the recall or warning mean the manufacturer is automatically liable for damages?
Not automatically, but it is a strong indicator of potential liability. A recall or FDA warning supports the argument that the product was defective or adulterated. What must often be proven in a product liability claim are:
- That the product was dangerous or defective (e.g., it contained yellow oleander instead of the intended plant)
- That you used the product as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable way
- That you were injured as a result of the use of that product
As noted earlier in this post, you may claim economic damages (medical bills, lost wages), non-economic damages (pain, suffering), and in some cases punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct) if the facts support it.
How can I avoid this kind of risk in the future when buying supplements?
While supplements are less strictly regulated than prescription medications, you can reduce your risk by doing the following:
- Buy from reputable manufacturers and retailers that list transparent third-party testing and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certifications
- Avoid supplements that make “miracle” claims (e.g., extreme weight loss) or use vague foreign-language names like “Raiz de Tejocote,” “Nuez de la India,” “Brazil Seed” without clear disclosure of ingredients
- Research the product and brand for past recalls or warnings — as we’ve shown, this issue is known and ongoing in the marketplace
- Consult with your physician or pharmacist before starting any supplement, particularly if you have pre-existing health conditions (e.g., heart disease) or take other medications
How Can a Product Liability Attorney Help Me?
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you were injured by an unreasonably dangerous product, a product liability attorney can help you compile evidence, file necessary paperwork, ensure you file within the statute of limitations, and advocate for you. Your attorney will even represent you in court, should your case go to trial.
If you were injured or lost a loved one due to the tejocote dietary supplement recall, you have options. Contact Ankin Law today to discuss your claim.
