Is Other Chinese Herbs safe?

Introduction

The safety of Chinese herbal medicines has been a topic of increasing interest and concern, especially given their widespread use both in traditional practices and as complementary treatments alongside modern medicine. This synthesis aims to provide a cohesive overview of the safety profile of Chinese herbs based on multiple research studies.

Key Insights

General Safety and Toxicity Concerns:
- Most Chinese herbal preparations are generally safe, but serious poisonings can occur due to specific toxic components like aconitine, podophyllin, or anti-cholinergics, as well as contamination with heavy metals or undeclared Western drugs .
- Some herbs have narrow therapeutic ranges, making them more prone to causing toxic effects if not used correctly.
Heavy Metal and Contaminant Risks:
- Studies have found that some Chinese herbal medicines contain toxic elements such as arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and cobalt (Co), which can pose significant health risks .
- Contaminations with microorganisms and aflatoxins have also been detected, although many samples did not exceed acceptable limits.
Herb-Drug Interactions:
- Concurrent use of Chinese herbs with modern medications can lead to severe health issues due to herb-drug interactions. These interactions can affect drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, potentially leading to therapeutic failure or toxicities .
- Specific herbs have been identified to cause liver injury, especially when used alongside Western oncology therapies.
Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity:
- Preclinical studies in mice have shown that the use of Chinese herbal medicines during pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes such as maternal and perinatal mortality, fetal resorption, and skeletal malformations. These effects were particularly pronounced during early pregnancy stages.
Public and Professional Awareness:
- There is a need for increased awareness among both the public and medical professionals about the potential toxicities and interactions associated with Chinese herbal medicines. Continuous monitoring and safety information collection are essential .

Conclusion

While Chinese herbal medicines are generally considered safe, there are significant risks associated with specific toxic components, heavy metal contamination, and herb-drug interactions. Adverse effects, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, highlight the need for caution and further research. Increased awareness and monitoring can help mitigate these risks and ensure safer use of these traditional remedies.

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Is Other Chinese Herbs safe?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Usage and adverse effects of Chinese herbal medicines

Chinese herbal medicines are generally safe, but caution is needed to avoid preparations containing dangerous ingredients or those containing undeclared Western drugs or heavy metals.

Analysis of toxic elements in Chinese medicines and herbs

Chinese medicines and herbs tested contained low concentrations of toxic elements Hg and Co, but Niuhuang Jiedu Pian and Liushen wan had high As and Hg concentrations.

Literature Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbs–Induced Liver Injury From an Oncological Perspective With RUCAM

TCM herbs may cause liver injury in cancer patients receiving Western oncology therapy, with more than one confirmed case using the RUCAM algorithm.

Detection of microbes, aflatoxin and toxic heavy metals in Chinese medicinal herbs commonly consumed in Thailand

Chinese medicinal herbs commonly consumed in Thailand do not exceed acceptable limits for heavy metals, microorganisms, or aflatoxin contamination, but Clostridium spp. contamination is significant in some samples.

Toxicity of Chinese Herbal Medicine and drug-herb Interactions

Chinese herbal medicines can be toxic and interact with modern medications, requiring medical professionals to understand their toxicity and interactions to avoid potential health risks.

Toxicological risks of Chinese herbs.

Chinese medicine is relatively safe, but more information on toxicological risks is needed for improved pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology.

Herb-Drug Interactions of Commonly Used Chinese Medicinal Herbs.

Herb-drug interactions between commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs and conventional drugs can potentially cause therapeutic failure or toxicities, posing a significant risk to patient safety.

Overview of commonly used Chinese herbs

Chinese herbs like Fructus lycii, Panax ginseng, Cervi cornu pantotrichum, Herba epimedii, and Angelica sinensis have various indications and potential toxicity, so caution is needed when using them.

Safety evaluation of commonly used Chinese herbal medicines during pregnancy in mice.

Chinese herbal medicines commonly used during pregnancy show reproductive toxicity in mice, highlighting the need for caution in their clinical use during pregnancy.

Evaluation on Effectiveness and Safety of Chinese Herbs in Treatment of Sub-health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Chinese herbs show a curative effect in treating sub-health, with better results than control groups, but clear criteria for diagnosis and curative effectiveness judgment are needed globally.

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