Herbal Reports: Aristolochia    Nationwide ALERT!!! The FDA is warning consumers to discontinue use of thirteen Chinese herbal products containing aristolochic acid because they may present a serious health hazard to consumers. Aristolochic acid found in certain plants and botanicals is toxic to the kidneys and is a potent carcinogen. This chemical can cause serious kidney damage and the use of products that contain aristolochic acid has been associated with several occurrences of kidney failure. The use of aristolochic acid-containing products has also been linked to increased risk of kidney cancer in people who have consumed it. Blue Light Recalls Treasure of the East brand Chinese herbal products - October 18, 2001 Reason: Products contain aristolochic acid, a potent carcinogen and nephrotoxin. This translates into it can cause cancer and put you into kidney failure. This is yet another reason why Chinese herbal medicine should be regulated. FDA Enforcement Report Green Kingdom Herbs contaminated - April 4, 2001 Aristolochia Associated Cancer - NEJM (June 8, 2000) Editorial - Cancer and Herbs David Kessler, M.D. Bestselling books perpetuate the myth that natural products such as herbs and other "dietary supplements" tend to be safer than conventional medicines. (1) Once relegated to health food stores, these products now fill pharmacy and supermarket shelves. So-called natural substances are more popular than ever. Fueled by congressional passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, (2) which deregulated the industry by limiting the role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the popularity of dietary supplements has created a $15-billion-a-year industry. The FDA does not scrutinize a dietary supplement before it enters the marketplace. The agency is permitted to restrict a substance if it poses a "significant and unreasonable risk" under the conditions of use on the label or as commonly consumed. What is the agency supposed to tell people who may have consumed these herbs? Congress has put the FDA in the position of being able to act only after the fact and after substantial harm has already occurred. Congress has shown little interest in protecting consumers from the hazards of dietary supplements, let alone from the fraudulent claims that are made, since its members apparently believe that few of these products place people in real danger. Nor does the public understand how potentially dangerous these products can be. Examples like that described by Nortier et al. should persuade Congress to change the law to ensure the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements before more people are harmed. FDA to Block Aristolochia - (June 2, 2000) The government is preparing to stop the import of a Chinese herb that caused kidney failure in Britain and Belgium. It has also alerted doctors to be on the lookout for the herb. The herb family is called Aristolochia, and the kidney-toxic ingredient is called aristolochic acid. The ingredient also is suspected of causing cancer. The Food and Drug Administration warned doctors that a list of botanical products is suspected of containing or being contaminated with aristolochic acid. Aristolchia Banned After Contamination Fears - BBC (January 19, 2000) U.K. government has extended a ban on some traditional Chinese remedies in case they contain a toxic herb. In 63 samples of herbal medicines, 44% contained chemicals which could have come from aristolochia. Google search for FTC and aristolochia Back to HerbalWatch