Fang Ji Rx's and Urological Cancers

[Guest guest]

The most disturbing part of this article was the general warning

about chinese herbs causing urological cancer, rather than merely a

specific concern about AA herbs. This underscores the current

direction of the FDA, which is to ban import of ALL chinese herbs.

In order to protect the self medicating public, we will also lose

access.

Its time to take sides.

 

, herb-t@s...> wrote:

> Uh-oh!

>

>

> > >Chinese Herb Linked to Urinary System Cancers

> > >

When patients develop kidney failure or urinary system cancers,

doctors

should ask them if they have ever taken Chinese herbs, the

researchers

conclude.

[Guest guest]

 

 

I think we need to draft a statement for the profession, act now before we

have real trouble. We can start by drafting a statement for the Chinese

Herb Academy, on the need to have herbal medicines regulated by the

profession, and supporting inclusion of herbal medicines from China in

state licensing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

>Uh-oh!

>

>

>> >Chinese Herb Linked to Urinary System Cancers

>> >

>> >Updated 6:03 PM ET June 7, 2000

>> >

>> >NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Eighteen patients in Belgium inadvertently

>> >given the Chinese herb Aristolochia fangchi in weight-reducing pills

>> >developed cancers of the urinary system, according to a report.

>> >

>> >These patients had already experienced severe kidney failure as a result

>> >of taking a combination of two other Chinese herbs, Stephania tetrandra

>> >and Magnolia officinalis, and needed kidney dialysis or kidney

>> >transplants, according to Dr. Joelle Nortier from Universite Libre de

>> >Bruxelles in Brussels, Belgium, and associates.

>> >

>> >After discovering a urinary system cancer in one of their patients

>> >undergoing a transplant, the researchers offered preventive removal of

>> >the kidneys and ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys to the

>> >bladder) to 43 other patients being treated for Chinese herb-related

>> >kidney disease. Thirty-nine patients accepted the offer.

>> >

>> >Eighteen cancers were discovered among the 78 ureters and 77 kidneys

>> >removed from the 39 patients, the authors report, representing a

>> >malignant cancer rate of 46%.

>> >

>> >In 19 of the 21 patients without cancer, mild to moderate precancerous

>> >abnormalities were found in the ureters or kidneys, according to the

>> >report in the June 8th issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

>> >

>> >All the affected kidneys showed evidence of exposure to aristolochic

>> >acid, the harmful ingredient in Aristolochia fangchi, and lower levels

>> >were found in some of the ureters.

>> >

>> >Only four samples contained evidence of exposure to ochratoxin A, a

>> >possible carcinogen sometimes found in Stephania tetrandra, the

>> >researchers observe.

>> >

>> >The risk of cancer was greater for patients who had taken more

>> >Aristolochia fangchi, the investigators note. Eight of 24 patients who

>> >took 200 grams or less had urinary system cancer, compared with 10 of 15

>> >patients who took 201 grams of more.

>> >

>> >Until recently, the outbreak of kidney failure--and now urinary system

>> >cancers--appeared to be limited to people in Belgium, the authors note.

>> > " Now, other cases have been reported in France, Spain, Japan, the United

>> >Kingdom and Taiwan, where cases of urothelial carcinoma (urinary system

>> >cancer) have also been detected, "

>> >Nortier and colleagues write.

>> >

>> >When patients develop kidney failure or urinary system cancers, doctors

>> >should ask them if they have ever taken Chinese herbs, the researchers

>> >conclude.

>> > >>

>> >

>> >

>

>

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>Chronic Diseases Heal - Chinese Herbs Can Help

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/11/00 2:51:51 PM, OMJournal writes:

 

<< If the political organizations for Chinese medicine have already

drafted this kind of statement paper and are actively working on the

public relations, we could review and endorse an existing one. >>

 

The AAOM has one in the works which I feel comfortable will meet the groups

needs. I will e-mail it as soon as it is done.

David Molony