Chinese Herb Safety
In most cases, Chinese herbs are very safe, especially when used as directed. However, in some cases, herbs may have safety issues that you should consider. These issues range from interactions with other drugs and herbs to potential contamination.
Herbal Toxicity
In some cases, Chinese herbs taken in very large quantities may have toxic effects. In most cases, with such herbs as xanthium, the toxicity is limited to headache, nausea or other mild symptoms of overdose. In other cases, overdose can cause kidney damage.
Guang Fang Ji, Radix Aristolochia Fangchi, was implicated in kidney damage caused by a diet treatment regimen in Belgium. However, the Guang Fang Ji was a cheaper ingredient used to replace Han Fang Ji, a harmless herb, in the diet treatments in question. Guang Fang Ji is, in fact, a recognized Chinese herbal remedy that is safe when used in small does and as directed. In the Belgian case, the quantity of the herb used as an adulterant in the original formula was the issue.
Interactions With Other Herbs
In rare cases, two combined herbs may trigger an adverse reaction as in the case of Guang Fang Ji combined with other herbs that have nephrotoxic or hepatoxic properties.
Interaction With Western Medicine
There can be a number of interactions between Chinese medicinal herbs and Western prescription or over-the-counter medications. In some cases, the Chinese herb ginseng can interact with phenelzine sulfate, an anti-depressant, to trigger headaches or manic episodes. Ginkgo biloba leaf, often taken as a memory enhancer and brain tonic, can interact with warfarin to cause bleeding. Ha huang can interact with several common Western medicines to trigger hypertension or cardiac arrhythmia.
Chemical Contamination
A number of cases of contaminated Chinese herbs have surfaced. Cultivated herbs can be contaminated with pesticides, although most herbal farmers no longer rely on pesticides because of their toxicity and tendency to reduce the value of the treated crop with buyers.
Some herbs, such as ginseng, are treated with fungicides early in their growth cycle. If done properly, the fungicide is naturally removed through rain and watering practices. However, if applied too close to harvest time, some may remain on the root.
Heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic, have been found in some Chinese-made herbal preparations. Those metals are sometimes intentionally added in very small quantities because of certain curative properties, however Western herbal remedy manufacturers do not add these compounds.
Microbial Contamination
Cases of microbial contaminants in animal products used in Chinese medicine are rare, but do occur. Chinese medicinal products imported into the U.S. are irradiated to kill any microbes that could cause disease.
In some cases, raw herbs may rehydrate over time and begin to grow mold or mildew. These contaminations are because of mishandling of the herbs, which should be refrigerated even in a dry state, if they are susceptible to mold and mildew. Reputable Chinese medical suppliers and practitioners are familiar with proper herbal handling procedures.
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