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List of Hazardous Herbs
Nine herbs that the Food and Drug Administration has said
are associated with serious adverse reactions or possible
hazards.
-- Chaparral. Linked to six North American cases of liver
inflammation, one requiring a transplant. No contamination or
mechanism for harm has been found, but in December 1992, the
American Herbal Products Association asked that chaparral for
internal use be withdrawn from the market. Has been promoted
as a ``blood purifier,'' cancer cure and acne treatment, the
FDA says.
-- Comfrey. Since 1985, at least seven cases of liver
complications have been reported in users. In March 1992, the
American Herbal Products Association recommended discontinuing
internal use. Comfrey stimulates cell growth and is used for
wound healing but it contains compounds toxic to the liver
when taken internally.
-- Yohimbe. Produces adverse reactions when consumed with
certain foods -- liver, cheese and red wine. Kidney failure,
seizures and death have been reported in users. Dilates blood
vessels and is valued as an aphrodisiac. Not readily available
in the United States, herbalists say.
-- Lobelia. Has been linked to adverse reactions when used
as a dietary supplement; high doses can suppress breathing,
cause sweating, speed the heart, lower blood pressure and even
lead to coma or death, the FDA says. Used to ease breathing in
people with pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma. The plant is
also the source of lobeline, a nicotine-like ingredient in
some over-the-counter smoking deterrents, including CigArrest
tablets.
-- Germander. At least 27 cases of liver inflammation,
including one death, were linked with germander in France,
which banned it from drugs. Is used as a weight-loss aid. Not
generally available in the United States, herbalists say.
-- Willow bark. Like aspirin, contains salicylates, which
could produce the same adverse reactions as aspirin, ranging
from stomach irritation to Reye syndrome in youngsters with
influenza or chicken pox, the FDA says. Is promoted as an
``aspirin-free'' pain reliever, but no adverse effects have
been reported.
-- Jin Bu Huan. A Chinese patent medicine, literally ``more
valuable than gold,'' that came to the FDA's attention after
three Colorado children got into an adult's bottle of it and
took massive overdoses, resulting in severe sedation that
required medical treatment. Is marketed as a sedative and pain
reliever. At least three cases of liver inflammation
associated with it have been reported in California.
-- Stephania and Magnolia. A Chinese herbal preparation
containing Stephania and Magnolia that was sold as a
weight-loss treatment in Belgium has been implicated in severe
kidney injury to at least 48 women; at least 18 developed
kidney failure requiring transplants or dialysis, the FDA
says.
-- Ma huang. Products containing Ma huang have been
associated with high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, nerve
damage, muscle injury, psychosis, stroke and memory loss; Ma
huang is sold in products for weight control and enhanced
energy, often combined with caffeine, which boosts the effect,
the FDA says. Used in China for more than five centuries to
treat asthma and hay fever. Contains ingredients from the
plant family Ephedra, which also yields pseudoephedrine, the
active ingredient in decongestants such as Sudafed.
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