Aristolochic acid - a health risk from some herbal medicines

[Kevin Cooper]

As an aside from safe foods, how about safe medicines? Perhaps herbal medicines bridge that gap?

Here is a new and arresting report from Kings College London, who reviewed global cases of aristolochic acid nephropathy and conclude that millions of people may be exposed to a risk of developing kidney failure and bladder cancer by taking herbal medicines that are widely available in Asia. The condition may be largely unrecognised or mis-diagnosed. Their review can be seen here.