chen article on banned herbs

February 11, 2003

http://acupuncture.com/Herbology/aristo.htm

Chinese Herbs

" Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre

minds " -- Albert Einstein

February 11, 2003

Hi

John Chen's article is clear and well referenced. This issue actually goes back farther in to the 1980s in China. If you have access to a Medline account you can read the several papers that lists the effects of aristolochic acid containing herbs. Chinese researchers did the early investigation in the 1980s with people who had injury to their kidneys. It was found that they had used the herbs inappropriately and for extended periods of time for the reason of weightloss. This occurred again in the 1990s in Japan and in Belgium. Japanese and German researchers refer to the kidney injury as CHN which the Chinese original coined in the 1980s: Chinese Herb Nephropathy. Apparently aristolochic acid container herbs can cause the proximal convoluted tubules of kidneys to "thicken". Since this overgrowth of tissue prevents the proper reuptake of nutrients from the filtered blood, the patient suffers a form of nephropathy and may eventually experience kidney failure. The thickening process takes a long time to develop: many months to over a year. The original research in China showed that no injury occurred when these herbs were used under the care of a practitioner applying treatment for appropriate periods of time: generally days or weeks. To see this info for yourself, you'd need a Medline account and then also do a search on Chinese sites for aristolochic acid. Western science and FDA sees this as an issue of toxicity, yet any number of Western or Eastern medications are toxic if used inappropriately. The Chinese seem to have appropriate laid this issue to rest some two decades ago.

Emmanuel Segmen

Merritt College/Asia Natural Products

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cha

Tuesday, February 11, 2003 10:42 AM

chen article on banned herbs

http://acupuncture.com/Herbology/aristo.htmTodd Luger, L.Ac.Chinese Herbshttp://www..orgvoice: fax: "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds" -- Albert Einstein

February 12, 2003

, " Emmanuel Segmen " <

susegmen@i...> wrote:

The Chinese seem to have appropriate laid this issue to rest some two

decades ago.

I agree that this should be a nonissue on scientific grounds, but hopefully

everyone understands that is besides the point. this is about protecting one's

liability. I work in a highly visible arena, so I have no choice.

February 12, 2003

Hi All,

I wonder if anybody saw this article by John K. Chen.

It can be found in this link:

http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2001/jul/07chen.html

These are the key paragraphs:

" In compliance with FDA regulations, batches of herbs have now been

successfully produced that have tested negative of aristolochic acid

following the testing protocol established by the FDA. Lab results

have confirmed that the herbs are free of aristolochic acid, with a

precision of 0.25 ppm (which is lower than the FDA requirement.

Furthermore, these results have been submitted to the FDA and the

California Food and Drug Board (FDB). Both government agencies have

acknowledged that the testing method is equivalent to the protocols

established by the FDA, and the results (<0.25 ppm) are adequate and

acceptable. The analytical reports and acknowledgement letters from

the FDA and FDB may be obtained by contacting the author directly.

With this recent success, herbs and formulas that were once

inaccessible will again be available. The example include, but are

not limited to, stephania (fang ji); clematis armandi (mu tong);

clematis (wei ling xian); and saussurea (mu xiang), as well as a

variety of formulas such as long dan xie gan tang; dang gui si ni

tang; xi yi wan; ba zheng san; xin yi san; and xiao feng san. This

success is absolutely invaluable as we continue the fight to preserve

and prescribe the herbs in Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia. "

Danny Levin

February 12, 2003

Hi Todd and Danny,

I agree with you Todd that we all need to come into compliance with the FDA.

Robert Moore, who is the FDA administrator in charge of our area of compliance (dietary supplements), indicates that getting the right species is adequate ... though proving that may be challenging. He notes correctly that the herbs of literature in China are not always the herbs that come to America. John Chen of Lotus Herbs has done his homework. His company as well as Min Tong Herbs and other Taiwanese companies generally obtain herbs from the same sources in China as a Shanghai hospital would ... the correct herbs of literature and TCM practice. So the Taiwanese companies utilize the herbs of literature. John Chen has taken the next step and tested his herbs to show that Robert Moore's impression is correct. The herbs of literature do not contain AA (aristolochic acid).

More steps are being taken by Michael McGuffin of American Herbal Products Association and Roy Upton of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia to develop methods to comply with FDA standards and keep Han Fan Ji, Mu Tong and other herbs in the hands of American practitioners. If you go to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia website at http://www.herbal-ahp.org/ and click on the Aristolochic Acid Evaluation Program, you will see the current state of work on this issue. It's basically in its developmental stages and needs adequate funding to proceed very far. Roy has mentioned that he has used his own funds to travel to China to speak to officials regarding obtaining samples of correct species.

I'm copying to Roy Upton and to Michael McGuffin to let them know of your concerns.

In the meantime while waiting for their work to proceed, you correctly note the steps required to protect yourself and your practice.

Emmanuel Segmen

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Danny Levin <lvds

Wednesday, February 12, 2003 11:18 AM

Re: chen article on banned herbs

Hi All,I wonder if anybody saw this article by John K. Chen.It can be found in this link:http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2001/jul/07chen.htmlThese are the key paragraphs:"In compliance with FDA regulations, batches of herbs have now been successfully produced that have tested negative of aristolochic acid following the testing protocol established by the FDA. Lab results have confirmed that the herbs are free of aristolochic acid, with a precision of 0.25 ppm (which is lower than the FDA requirement. Furthermore, these results have been submitted to the FDA and the California Food and Drug Board (FDB). Both government agencies have acknowledged that the testing method is equivalent to the protocols established by the FDA, and the results (<0.25 ppm) are adequate and acceptable. The analytical reports and acknowledgement letters from the FDA and FDB may be obtained by contacting the author directly.With this recent success, herbs and formulas that were once inaccessible will again be available. The example include, but are not limited to, stephania (fang ji); clematis armandi (mu tong); clematis (wei ling xian); and saussurea (mu xiang), as well as a variety of formulas such as long dan xie gan tang; dang gui si ni tang; xi yi wan; ba zheng san; xin yi san; and xiao feng san. This success is absolutely invaluable as we continue the fight to preserve and prescribe the herbs in Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia."Danny LevinChinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services, including board approved online continuing education.