Herbs to Avoid with Liver Disease

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Herbs to Avoid

Article 7/7/2004

 

 

Dietary supplements, including herbs, routinely enter the marketplace without

undergoing a safety review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

Although there is no established system for gaining information about the risks

of dietary supplements, an increased number of reports of adverse reactions to

dietary supplement products has recently been recognized.

 

Many sites on the internet offer lists of " bad herbs, " but very few cite

references, so the consumer is left to question the validity of the information.

 

In this article, we will identify some herbs known to cause health problems,

including liver disease.

 

Additionally, we will provide references to clinical studies of each herb and

brief excerpts from the studies' abstracts. The following herbs are presented:

 

Aristolochia (Guang Fang Ji)

 

 

Atractylis gummifera (African Herbal Remedy)

 

 

Calliepsis laureola (Impila)

 

 

Cassia species (Senna)

 

 

Chelidonium majus (Greater Celandine)

 

 

Crotalaria species

 

 

Ephedra (Ma huang)

 

 

Heliotropium species

 

 

Larrea tridetata (Chapparal, Creosote)

 

 

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)

 

 

Lycopodium serratum (Jin Bu Juan)

 

 

Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal)

 

 

Pausinystalia yohimbe (Yohimbe)

 

 

Piper methysticum (Kava-kava)

 

 

Salix species (Willow Bark)

 

 

Sassafras albidum (Sassafras)

 

 

Senecio (Gordolobo yerba)

 

 

Symphytum species (Comfrey)

 

 

Teucrium chamaedrys (Germander)

 

 

Tusilago farfara (Coltsfoot)

 

 

Valeriana officinalis (Valerian)

 

The data presented below was obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology

Information database, a service of the United States National Library of

Medicine.

 

Note that some studies are on animal subjects.

 

Additional information was obtained from the article " Illnesses and Injuries

Associated With the Use of Selected Dietary Supplements " from the Center for

Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, part of the U. S. Food and Drug

Administration.

 

Adenostyles alliariae (Alpendost)

 

Reversible hepatic veno-occlusive disease in an infant after consumption of

pyrrolizidine-containing herbal tea.

Sperl W, Stuppner H, Gassner I, Judmaier W, Dietze O, Vogel W.

Eur J Pediatr. 1995 Feb;154(2):112-6.

 

" Veno-occlusive disease was diagnosed in an 18-month-old boy who had regularly

consumed a herbal tea mixture since the 3rd month of life. The boy developed

portal hypertension with severe ascites. Histology of the liver showed

centrilobular sinusoidal congestion with perivenular bleeding and parenchymal

necrosis without cirrhosis. "

 

Aristolochia (Guang Fang Ji)

 

Renal interstitial fibrosis and urothelial carcinoma associated with the use of

a Chinese herb (Aristolochia fangchi).

Nortier JL, Vanherweghem JL.

Toxicology. 2002 Dec 27;181-182:577-80.

 

" Exposure to Aristolochia species (spp.) is associated with the development of

renal interstitial fibrosis (CHN) and urothelial cancer in humans. Health

professionals should be aware that in traditional Chinese medicine, Aristolochia

spp. are considered interchangeable with certain other herbal ingredients and

are also sometimes mistaken for ST, Akebia, Asarum, Clematis spp. and Cocculus

spp. in herbal remedies. "

 

Atractylis gummifera (African Herbal Remedy)

 

A review of acute poisoning from Atractylis gummifera L.

Hamouda C, Hedhili A, Ben Salah N, Zhioua M, Amamou M.

Vet Hum Toxicol. 2004 Jun;46(3):144-6.

 

" Atractylis gummifera glucosides cause a severe hepatitis with fatal liver

failure common. Clinical manifestations are related to an induced hypoglycemia

and neurovegetative disorders or subsequent renal failure. Liver transplantation

or immunotherapy may improve the often fatal prognosis. "

 

Hepatotoxicity due to Atractylis gummifera-L.

Georgiou M, Sianidou L, Hatzis T, Papadatos J, Koutselinis A.

J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1988;26(7):487-93.

 

" The authors describe an intoxication by Atractylis gummifera in a 7-year old

boy who drunk an extract made from the plant's root as traditional medicine.

Laboratory findings showed severe hepatocellular damage and acute renal failure.

In spite of all treatment and therapeutic efforts, the boy died 8 days after

admission. "

 

Calliepsis laureola (Impila)

 

The clinical syndrome of Impila (Callilepis laureola) poisoning in children.

Watson AR, Coovadia HM, Bhoola KD.

S Afr Med J. 1979 Feb 24;55(8):290-2.

 

" The administration of herbal medicines made from Callilepis laureola... can and

does cause poisoning, which has only been diagnosed with any confidence at

postmortem examination, where the characteristic hepatic and renal tubular

necrosis is obvious. "

 

Toxicity of Callilepis laureola.

Wainwright J, Schonland MM, Candy HA.

S Afr Med J. 1977 Aug 13;52(8):313-5.

 

" Chemical extraction has yielded a product, identified as atractyloside, which

is responsible for the nephrotoxic and hypoglycaemic effects of Callilepis

laureola. The hepatotoxic principle has not yet been isolated. "

 

Toxic hepatitis in black patients in natal.

Wainwright J, Schonland MM.

S Afr Med J. 1977 Apr 23;51(17):571-3.

 

" The clinical and pathological features of toxic centrilobular zonal necrosis in

Natal Blacks are described. It is suggested that this condition may be caused by

the toxic action of Callilepis laureola (known to the Zulu as 'impila'). "

 

Cassia species (Senna)

 

Finger clubbing and aspartylglucosamine excretion in a laxative-abusing patient.

Malmquist J, Ericsson B, Hulten-Nosslin MB, Jeppsson JO, Ljungberg O.

Postgrad Med J. 1980 Dec;56(662):862-4.

 

" A young woman with a previous history of anorexia nervosa presented with severe

finger clubbing. Urine samples intermittently contained significant amounts of

aspartylglucosamine. Liver biopsy showed abnormal cytoplasmic inclusions in

phagocytic cells. "

 

Acute hepatitis associated with Barakol.

Hongsirinirachorn M, Threeprasertsuk S, Chutaputti A.

J Med Assoc Thai. 2003 Jun;86 Suppl 2:S484-9.

 

" Barakol is a natural anxiolytic extracted from Cassia siamea, known as

" Khi-lek " in Thailand. The authors studied the adverse effects of Barakol in 12

healthy Thai patients... Liver biopsy was done in 3 cases and the

histopathological findings were compatible with interface hepatitis. "

 

Chelidonium majus (Greater Celandine)

 

Acute hepatitis induced by Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus).

Stickel F, Poschl G, Seitz HK, Waldherr R, Hahn EG, Schuppan D.

Scand J Gastroenterol. 2003 May;38(5):565-8.

 

" We report on two cases of acute liver injury along with the intake of Greater

Celandine (Chelidonium majus), a well-known herbal remedy frequently used for

irritable bowel syndrome. "

 

Acute hepatitis after use of a herbal preparation with greater celandine

(Chelidonium majus).

Crijns AP, de Smet PA, van den Heuvel M, Schot BW, Haagsma EB.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002 Jan 19;146(3):100-2.

 

" A 42-year-old woman developed jaundice due to acute hepatitis several weeks

after ingestion of a herbal preparation containing greater celandine

(Chelidonium majus) and curcuma root, which had been prescribed by an

alternative therapist due to a skin complaint. The hepatitis was ascribed to the

known hepatotoxic effects of C. majus. "

 

Acute hepatitis induced by greater celandine (Chelidonium majus).

Benninger J, Schneider HT, Schuppan D, Kirchner T, Hahn EG.

Gastroenterology. 1999 Nov;117(5):1234-7.

 

" In the last 2 years, we have observed 10 cases of acute hepatitis induced by

preparations of greater celandine (Chelidonium majus), which are frequently

prescribed to treat gastric and biliary disorders. The course of hepatitis was

mild to severe. "

 

Crotalaria species

 

Crotalaria juncea intoxication in horses.

Nobre D, Dagli ML, Haraguchi M.

Vet Hum Toxicol. 1994 Oct;36(5):445-8.

 

" Twenty horses died 30 d after being fed a diet containing 40% of tritured

Crotalaria juncea seeds. At necropsy the most evident lesions were areas of

lung parenchyma consolidation and enlarged and congested livers. "

 

Toxic effects of Crotalaria saltiana in mice.

Barri ME, Adam SE, Omer OH.

Vet Hum Toxicol. 1988 Oct;30(5):429-31.

 

" Dry Crotalaria saltiana shoots were fed to strain ASL mice... [producing]

toxicity and death after 7 to 29 days. The main lesions were necrosis, portal

fibroplasia and hemorrhage in the liver, pulmonary congestion and emphysema,

focal catarrhal enteritis, and degeneration of the cells of the renal tubules. "

 

Toxicological studies on the ethanolic extract of Crotalaria juncea seeds in

rats.

Prakash AO, Dehadrai S, Jonathan S.

J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Mar;45(3):167-76.

 

" The effect of the ethanolic extract of Crotalaria juncea Linn. (Leguminosae)

seeds has been assessed on liver, kidney, spleen and adrenals of adult rats.

Histology revealed remarkable disintegration necrosis and degeneration in the

liver (and) other vital organs too were also affected. "

 

Ephedra (Ma huang)

 

Ephedra-associated cardiomyopathy.

Naik SD, Freudenberger RS.

Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Mar;38(3):400-3. Epub 2004 Jan 23.

 

" It is well documented that ephedra, through its sympathomimetic effects, can

cause a range of cardiovascular toxicities including myocarditis, arrhythmias,

myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and sudden death. "

 

Ischemic stroke after using over the counter products containing ephedra.

Chen C, Biller J, Willing SJ, Lopez AM.

J Neurol Sci. 2004 Jan 15;217(1):55-60.

 

" Ephedrine, like other sympathomimetic agents, predisposes patients to both

ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. "

 

Final rule declaring dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids

adulterated because they present an unreasonable risk.

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

Fed Regist. 2004 Feb 11;69(28):6787-854.

 

" The Food and Drug Administration is issuing a final regulation declaring

dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids adulterated under the Federal

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because they present an unreasonable risk of

illness or injury under the conditions of use recommended or suggested in

labeling, or if no conditions of use are suggested or recommended in labeling,

under ordinary conditions of use. "

 

Heliotropium species

 

Herbal medicines and veno-occlusive disease in India.

Datta DV, Khuroo MS, Mattocks AR, Aikat BK, Chhuttani PN.

Postgrad Med J. 1978 Aug;54(634):511-5.

 

" Six cases are described of veno-occlusive disease (VOD) after medicinal herb

ingestion. Two patients presented with fulminant hepatic failure while the

other four patients had a clinical picture suggestive of decompensated

cirrhosis. "

 

An outbreak of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in north-western Afghanistan.

Mohabbat O, Younos MS, Merzad AA, Srivastava RN, Sediq GG, Aram GN.

Lancet. 1976 Aug 7;2(7980):269-71.

 

" Following a 2-year period of severe drought a very large number of patients

with massive ascites and emaciation were observed in north-western Afghanistan.

The outbreak was caused by consumption of bread made from wheat contiminated

with seeds of Heliotropium plants, which were shown to contain pyrrolizidine

alkaloids. "

 

An epidemic of veno-occlusive disease of the liver in Afghanistan. Pathologic

features.

Tandon HD, Tandon BN, Mattocks AR.

Am J Gastroenterol. 1978 Dec;70(6):607-13.

 

" A large outbreak of veno-occlusive disease occurred in Afghanistan... caused by

consumption of wheat flour heavily contaminated with seeds of a plant of the

heliotropium species. Centrilobular hemorrhagic necrosis was followed by

occlusive changes in the hepatic veins, finally resulting in nonportal

cirrhosis. "

 

Larrea tridetata (Chapparal, Creosote)

 

The safety of low-dose Larrea tridentata (DC) Coville (creosote bush or

chaparral): a retrospective clinical study.

Heron S, Yarnell E.

J Altern Complement Med. 2001 Apr;7(2):175-85.

 

" Larrea should be used with caution in persons with a history of previous, or

current, liver disease. It may be preferable to avoid the use of Larrea capsules

because they have been associated with potentially dangerous overdosing. "

 

Chaparral-associated hepatotoxicity.

Sheikh NM, Philen RM, Love LA.

Arch Intern Med. 1997 Apr 28;157(8):913-9.

 

" Of 18 reports of illnesses associated with the ingestion of chaparral, there

was evidence of hepatotoxicity in 13 cases. These data indicate that the use of

chaparral may be associated with acute to chronic irreversible liver damage with

fulminant hepatic failure... "

 

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)

 

Use of alternative and complementary therapies for pediatric asthma.

Mazur LJ, De Ybarrondo L, Miller J, Colasurdo G.

Tex Med. 2001 Jun;97(6):64-8.

 

" This survey of 48 multicultural parents of children with asthma identifies and

compares alternative and complementary treatments used for asthma, and compares

any potentially effective or harmful effects. Three herbal remedies were

potentially toxic: lobelia, possible pennyroyal mint, and tree tea oil. "

 

Lycopodium serratum (Jin Bu Juan)

 

Acute hepatitis associated with the Chinese herbal product jin bu huan.

Woolf GM, Petrovic LM, Rojter SE, Wainwright S, Villamil FG, Katkov WN,

Michieletti P, Wanless IR, Stermitz FR, Beck JJ, et al.

Ann Intern Med. 1995 Apr 15;122(8):636.

 

" Hepatitis was associated with symptoms of fever, fatigue, nausea, pruritus, and

abdominal pain and with signs of jaundice and hepatomegaly. Although the

hepatotoxic mechanisms are not defined, they may include hypersensitive or

idiosyncratic reactions or direct toxicity to active metabolites. "

 

Chronic hepatitis induced by Jin Bu Huan.

Picciotto A, Campo N, Brizzolara R, Giusto R, Guido G, Sinelli N, Lapertosa G,

Celle G.

J Hepatol. 1998 Jan;28(1):165-7.

 

" We report a case of chronic hepatic damage following administration of Jin Bu

Huan Anodyne tablets. This case reinforces the already known hepatotoxicity of

this product and should make us think more about the uncontrolled use of

alternative products. "

 

Jin bu huan toxicity in adults--Los Angeles, 1993.

[No authors listed]

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1993 Dec 3;42(47):920-2.

 

" Jin Bu Huan (JBH) is a traditional Chinese herbal product used as a sedative

and analgesic... the first cases of acute hepatitis attributed to use of JBH

were diagnosed in three women in Los Angeles during July and August 1993. "

 

Hepatitis associated with Chinese herbs.

McRae CA, Agarwal K, Mutimer D, Bassendine MF.

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2002 May;14(5):559-62.

 

" We describe two patients who suffered severe hepatitis, one of whom died, after

taking Chinese herbal remedies for minor complaints. Two products appear to be

implicated frequently: Jin bu huan was taken by 11 patients, and Dictamnus

dasycarpus was taken by six patients, including both fatal cases. "

 

The clinical spectrum of Jin Bu Huan toxicity.

Horowitz RS, Feldhaus K, Dart RC, Stermitz FR, Beck JJ.

Arch Intern Med. 1996 Apr 22;156(8):899-903.

 

" A single, acute ingestion (of Jin Bu Huan) in children rapidly produced

life-threatening neurologic and cardiovascular manifestations, while long-term

jin bu huan use in adults was associated with hepatitis. "

 

Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal)

 

Mitigation of pennyroyal oil hepatotoxicity in the mouse.

Sztajnkrycer MD, Otten EJ, Bond GR, Lindsell CJ, Goetz RJ.

Acad Emerg Med. 2003 Oct;10(10):1024-8.

 

" Pennyroyal oil ingestion has been associated with severe hepatotoxicity and

death. The primary constituent, R-(+)-pulegone, is metabolized via hepatic

cytochrome P450 to toxic intermediates. "

 

Multiple organ failure after ingestion of pennyroyal oil from herbal tea in two

infants.

Bakerink JA, Gospe SM Jr, Dimand RJ, Eldridge MW.

Pediatrics. 1996 Nov;98(5):944-7.

 

" Pennyroyal oil is a highly toxic agent that may cause both hepatic and

neurologic injury if ingested. "

 

Pennyroyal toxicity: measurement of toxic metabolite levels in two cases and

review of the literature.

Anderson IB, Mullen WH, Meeker JE, Khojasteh-BakhtSC, Oishi S, Nelson SD, Blanc

PD.

Ann Intern Med. 1996 Apr 15;124(8):726-34.

 

" Pennyroyal is a widely available herb that has long been used as an

abortifacient despite its potentially lethal hepatotoxic effects. "

 

Pausinystalia yohimbe (Yohimbe)

 

Yohimbine-induced cutaneous drug eruption, progressive renal failure, and

lupus-like syndrome.

Sandler B, Aronson P.

Urology. 1993 Apr;41(4):343-5.

 

" We describe a forty-two-year black man in whom a generalized erythrodermic skin

eruption, progressive renal failure, and lupus-like syndrome developed following

treatment with the drug, yohimbine. "

 

Piper methysticum (Kava-kava)

 

Kava kava: examining new reports of toxicity.

Clouatre DL.

Toxicol Lett. 2004 Apr 15;150(1):85-96.

 

" A total of 78 cases of hepatotoxicity reputedly linked to kava ingestion are

available for review from various databases. Of these adverse events, four

probably are linked to kavalactones taken alone and another 23 are potentially

linked to kava intake, but also involve the concomitant ingestion of other

compounds with potential hepatotoxicity. "

 

Hepatitis induced by Kava (Piper methysticum rhizoma).

Stickel F, Baumuller HM, Seitz K, Vasilakis D, Seitz G, Seitz HK, Schuppan D.

J Hepatol. 2003 Jul;39(1):62-7.

 

" We analyzed 29 novel cases of hepatitis along with Kava ingestion... Nine

patients developed fulminant liver failure, of which eight patients underwent

liver transplantation. Three patients died, two following unsuccessful liver

transplantation and one without. "

 

Hepatic toxicity possibly associated with kava-containing products--United

States, Germany, and Switzerland, 1999-2002.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002 Nov 29;51(47):1065-7.

 

" A total of 11 patients who used kava products had liver failure and underwent

subsequent liver transplantation. FDA continues to advise consumers and

health-care providers about the potential risk associated with the use of

kava-containing products. "

 

Acute hepatitis induced by kava kava.

Humberston CL, Akhtar J, Krenzelok EP.

J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2003;41(2):109-13.

 

" A previously healthy 14-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with

hepatic failure. The liver biopsy showed hepatocellular necrosis consistent

with chemical hepatitis. The patient gave a history of taking a kava

kava-containing product for four months. "

 

Salix species (Willow Bark)

 

Salicylate hepatitis.

O'Gorman T, Koff RS.

Gastroenterology. 1977 Apr;72(4 Pt 1):726-8.

 

" Two patients developed acute hepatic injury as a result of salicylate therapy.

Salicylate-induced liver injury should be considered in the differential

diagnosis of hepatic disease occurring in patients receiving high dose

salicylate therapy, regardless of serum salicylate levels. "

 

Hepatotoxicity of mild analgesics.

Prescott LF.

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1980 Oct;10 Suppl 2:373S-379S.

 

" Salicylate hepatitis is often asymptomatic, and may only be revealed by finding

elevated levels of aminotransferases. Most cases have occurred in children or

young adults with connective tissue diseases, who take high doses of salicylates

for long periods. "

 

Effects of non-narcotic analgesics on the liver.

Prescott LF.

Drugs. 1986;32 Suppl 4:129-47.

 

" About 50% of patients given aspirin regularly in anti-inflammatory doses

develop mild, dose-dependent reversible liver damage as shown by elevation of

the plasma aminotransferase activity. "

 

Hepatic toxicity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Lewis JH.

Clin Pharm. 1984 Mar-Apr;3(2):128-38.

 

" Intrinsic hepatotoxins, such as salicylates, produce injury in a large

percentage of exposed individuals that is often dose related and occurs after a

short, fixed latent period. In most cases of hepatocellular injury, the

prognosis of those patients who survive the acute phase of injury is good. "

 

Sassafras albidum (Sassafras)

 

Carcinogenicity of some folk medicinal herbs in rats.

Kapadia GJ, Chung EB, Ghosh B, Shukla YN, Basak SP, Morton JF, Pradhan SN.

J Natl Cancer Inst. 1978 Mar;60(3):683-6.

 

" Twelve medicinal herbs were bioassayed to correlate a high incidence of

esophageal carcinoma in natives of different places with their habitual

consumption of these products. Diospyros and extracts of Sassafras albidum and

Chenopodium ambrosiodes were tumorigenic in over 50% of the treated animals. "

 

Senecio (Gordolobo yerba)

 

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease due to pyrrolizidine (Senecio) poisoning in

Arizona.

Stillman AS, Huxtable R, Consroe P, Kohnen P, Smith S.

Gastroenterology. 1977 Aug;73(2):349-52.

 

" An infant with documented hepatic veno-occlusive disease due to ingestion of

pyrrolizidine alkaloids is presented. Among these people, this herb is known as

gordolobo yerba. The patient presented with acute hepatocellular disease and

portal hypertension which progressed over 2 months to extensive hepatic

fibrosis. "

 

Herb use and necrodegenerative hepatitis.

Mokhobo KP.

S Afr Med J. 1976 Jul 3;50(28):1096-9.

 

" Twelve patients with herbally-induced hepatitis are described and the

clinicopathological features of their illness, which seem to present a

recognisable spectrum, are discussed. Senecio species are the principal source

of hepatotoxic alkoloids, especially pyrrolizidines. "

 

Symphytum species (Comfrey)

 

The efficacy and safety of comfrey.

Stickel F, Seitz HK.

Public Health Nutr. 2000 Dec;3(4A):501-8.

 

" The main liver injury caused by comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is

veno-occlusive disease, a non-thrombotic obliteration of small hepatic veins

leading to cirrhosis and eventually liver failure. Patients may present with

either acute or chronic clinical signs with portal hypertension, hepatomegaly

and abdominal pain as the main features. "

 

Carcinogenic activity of Symphytum officinale.

Hirono I, Mori H, Haga M.

J Natl Cancer Inst. 1978 Sep;61(3):865-9.

 

" The carcinogenicity of Symphytum officinale L., Russian comfrey, used as a

green vegetable or tonic, was studied in inbred ACI rats. Hepatocellular

adenomas were induced in all experimental groups that received the diets

containing comfrey roots and leaves. Hemangioendothelial sarcoma of the liver

was infrequently induced. "

 

Teucrium chamaedrys (Germander)

 

Hepatitis after germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) administration: another instance

of herbal medicine hepatotoxicity.

Larrey D, Vial T, Pauwels A, Castot A, Biour M, David M, Michel H.

Ann Intern Med. 1992 Jul 15;117(2):165-6.

 

" Hepatitis characterized by jaundice and a marked increase in serum

aminotransferase levels occurred 3 to 18 weeks after germander administration.

Liver biopsy specimens in three patients showed hepatocyte necrosis. Germander

may be hepatotoxic, which supports the view that herbal medicines are not always

as safe as generally assumed. "

 

Acute hepatitis due to ingestion of Teucrium chamaedrys infusions.

Perez Alvarez J, Saez-Royuela F, Gento Pena E, Lopez Morante A, Velasco Oses A,

Martin Lorente J.

Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2001 May;24(5):240-3.

 

" We present two cases of acute hepatitis after ingestion of herbal infusions

over a period of several months. One patient presented acute, cholestatic

hepatitis and another presented mixed (hepatocellular and cholestatic)

hepatitis. "

Acute hepatitis caused by wild germander. Hepatotoxicity of herbal remedies. Two

cases.

Pauwels A, Thierman-Duffaud D, Azanowsky JM, Loiseau D, Biour M, Levy VG.

Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 1992;16(1):92-5.

 

" We report on two women who had severe acute hepatocellular liver injury

occurring within one to two months of treatment with Wild Germander (Teucrium

chamaedrys L.), a herbal medicine for losing weight. "

 

Tusilago farfara (Coltsfoot)

 

Carcinogenic activity of coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara l.

Hirono I, Mori H, Culvenor CC.

Gann. 1976 Feb;67(1):125-9.

 

" Rats were divided into 4 groups. Group I received 32% coltsfoot diet for 4

days... and 8 out of 12 rats developed hemangioendothelial sarcoma in the

liver... Chemical studies on the dried, young flowers used in this experiment

suggested that the carcinogenicity of coltsfoot is most probably due to

senkirkine, a hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid. "

 

Valeriana officinalis (Valerian)

 

Poisoning due to an over-the-counter hypnotic, Sleep-Qik (hyoscine,

cyproheptadine, valerian).

Chan TY, Tang CH, Critchley JA.

Postgrad Med J. 1995 Apr;71(834):227-8.

 

" The main clinical problems were central nervous system depression and

anticholinergic poisoning. ...subclinical liver dysfunction in the acute stage

(onset after 12-24 hours) and in the intervening period after discharge from

hospital could not be excluded. "

 

 

 

 

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