Posted by C.a.b. Johnson on
URL: https://www.es-forum.com/chinese-medicine-for-ES-in-Seattle-tp3758970p3929863.html

Amanda,

Since you are on the subject of Chinese herb safety, here is an article that came out last week concerning the safety of some Traditional Chinese Medicines:

http://m.yahoo.com/w/news_america/dna-tests-uncover-hazards-chinese-therapies-211109236.html?back=%2Fhealth%2F&.ts=1334297414&.intl=us&.lang=en

DNA tests uncover hazards in Chinese therapies
AFP - Thu, Apr 12, 2012

<snippets>
A host of potential toxins, allergens and traces of endangered animals showed up in DNA sequencing tests on 15 Chinese traditional medicines, researchers said on Thursday.

The samples analyzed for this study included herbal teas, capsules, powders and flakes that were seized by Australian border officials and were subsequently tested by scientists at Australia's Murdoch University.

Plant agents suspected of causing urinary tract and kidney cancer such as Aristolochic acid, as well as the potentially poisonous herb ephedra were among the dangerous elements found.

Some of the 68 different plant families that were detected in the 15 samples can be toxic if taken in the wrong doses, but the packaging did not list the concentrations of the elements inside, he said.

"We also found traces from trade restricted animals that are classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, including the Asiatic black bear and Saiga antelope" he said, adding that some contained ingredients that were not included on the label.

"A product labeled as 100 percent Saiga antelope contained considerable quantities of goat and sheep DNA," he said.

"Another product, Mongnan Tianbao pills, contained deer and cow DNA, the latter of which may violate some religious or cultural strictures."


 


--- On Sat, 4/21/12, Amanda Kolter <[hidden email]> wrote:
The only general caution I have with ES patients, when it comes to herbs,
is to be careful about the source of your herbs.  Many are from China and
are not tested for heavy metals, which are all over China.  KPC is a good
brand; Golden Flower is as well; and there are many such brands that
undergo extensive metal and pesticide testing, but just buying whatever is
in Chinatown is not necessarily a good idea.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]