Since 1990 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about botanical products and dietary supplements containing aristolochic acid.
Now, The Lancet reports a 30 year-old Chinese man who was diagnosed with a bladder tumor after taking the Chinese herb Longdan Xieganwan for at least 5 years. (Use this link if you are not a subscriber to The Lancet.)
Caught in the act by the FDA, Herbal Science International, Inc. (aka Jen-On Herbal Science International, Inc.) is recalling 12 dietary supplements that contain ephedra, aristolochic acid, or human placenta.
Human placenta! Continue reading Consumer alert: 12 dietary herbal supplements
The use of products containing aristolochic acid, including botanical products marketed as traditional medicines, has been associated with nephropathy (kidney disease) characterized by rapidly progressive scaring and cancer.
The authors of this article from the Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong describe 5 patients who experienced aristolochic poisoning. Continue reading More cases of aristolochic acid kidney toxicity reported