Consumer Safety Alert: FDA

The U.S. FDA has issued a "Consumer Advisory" warning consumers to immediatly discontinue the use of botanical products conatining Aristlochic acid. (Aristolochia, Braganita, Asarum) The products have been sold as "traditional medicines" or as ingredients in dietary supplements.
Consumption of products conatining aristolochic acid has been associated with permanent kidney damage, sometimes such severe damage that dialysis or transplantation is necessary. Some patients have also developed cancer.
The FDA has requested a recall of any products containing Aristilochia or Aristolochic acid. The FDA advises that anyone who is taking or has ever taken this product in any form contact their healthcare provider immediatly.
Source: Contemporary Dialysis & Nephrology, June 2001