Health Canada warning

[Guest guest]

This is a press release from Health Canada. Comments please.

 

thanks

 

Rene

===================================================================

 

2001-22

 

February 28, 2001

 

Warning

 

Warning not to consume traditional Chinese medicines

containing tricosanthes and indicated for use in children

 

OTTAWA - Health Canada is warning consumers not to use Bao Ji Wan Pills

or Chinese Modular Solutions Chest Relief Tablets. These two herbal products

are indicated for use in children and labelled to contain the

ingredients Tricosanthes kirilowii and Magnolia officinalis

bark. These ingredients are considered highly toxic and pose a serious

health hazard, particularly to children.

 

The herb Tricosanthes kirilowii contains tricosanthin alkaloid,

which is known to cause mutations in human cells and

malformations in embryos, suppress the immune system, and

produce severe allergic reactions. The safe and effective dose of

this herb is not known.

 

Magnolia officinalis bark contains turbocurarine and related

substances which are known to cause respiratory paralysis in animals

and may be toxic to infants and small children, even when used as directed.

 

Both Bao Ji Wan Pills and Chinese Modular Solutions Chest Relief

Tablets have been assessed by Health Canada and found to pose a Type I

health hazard, which means there is a reasonable probability that the use of or

exposure to the product will cause serious adverse

health consequences or death.

 

To date, no incidents of adverse or toxic reactions to these products

have been reported in Canada. Products found on the Canadian

market that contain these ingredients will be assessed by Health Canada

as they are identified.

 

Bao Ji Wan (Pill), 74 grams, is manufactured in Guang Zou, China.

It should be noted that Bao Ji Wan Pills resemble another product

which has the same name in Chinese characters, but is

manufactured in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong product has been approved

by Health Canada for sale in Canada. The best way to

differentiate these two products is to check the label for the country of

origin.

 

The product, Chinese Modular Solutions Chest Relief Tablets, is promoted

for use in children and is labelled to contain Tricosanthes

kirilowii seed and several other ingredients whose compounded effects and high

concentrations can be toxic to children. This product is manufactured

by Kan Herb Company, 60001 Butler Lane, Scotts Valley, California, 95066.

 

This warning will be distributed to the Chinese Chamber of Herbal

Medicines of Canada, associations of Chinese importers and

Ayurvedic medicine, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian

Pharmacists Association of Canada, Provincial and Territorial Ministries of

Health, Poison Control Centres and other relevant associations.

 

Consumers are advised that products that carry an eight-digit

Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the label have been assessed by

Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality and are authorized

for sale in Canada by Health Canada as they meet the requirements of the

Food and Drugs Act and Regulations.

===============================================================

[Guest guest]

--- Rene Leiva <rene wrote:

> This is a press release from Health Canada. Comments please.

 

Oh, for goodness sakes! Yet another much maligned herb.

 

Tricosanthes = Snake Gourd

 

I guess " they " should have warned people not to eat it in this famous East

Indian dish, too: http://www.andhratoday.com/recipes/SGOURD.HTM

 

It has its place in TCM as a superior herb for " clearing " the lungs, etc.

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

<Magnolia officinalis bark contains turbocurarine and related

substances which are known to cause respiratory paralysis in animals

and may be toxic to infants and small children, even when used as

directed.>

 

Tubocurare, not turbocurare. (Stored in tubes.)

 

Karen Vaughan

CreationsGarden

***************************************

Email advice is not a substitute for medical treatment.

" The more power man had over nature, the more his knowledge and skill

went to his head, and the deeper became his contempt for the merely

natural. " - Carl Jung

 

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