PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicines

Answers to common questions about the safety of Chinese Herbal Medicines, provided by the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM)

• Are Chinese Herbs Safe?
• I have herad that herbs can cause liver damage. Is this true?
• I have also heard that Chinese herbs can lead to kidney damage. Is this true?
• How is the quality of herbs controlled?
• Can the herbs contain steroids, or other pharmaceutical drugs?
• I am concerned about the use of endangered species
• What if I am taking pharmaceutical drugs?
• A summary of the main points

Are Chinese Herbs Safe?
Chinese herbs are very safe when prescribed correctly by a properly trained practitioner. Chinese herbal medicine has a continuous tradition dating back more than two thousand years, and throughout its long history practitioners have placed great emphasis on safe and effective treatment. Over the centuries, generations of doctors and scholars have compiled detailed information about medicinal herbs, forming an unprecedented body of knowledge available to the modern practitioner and enabling high standards of practice and safety. Thorough knowledge of this information is required of all RCHM members. Given these safeguards, serious adverse reactions are extremely rare.

In order to ensure that you case is properly diagnosed and monitored, it is recommended that you see a registered practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine who will take a full case history including details of your previous medical history and any prescribed medication you may be taking.

You should be able to communicate easily with your practitioner and be able to discuss any concerns you may have about your treatment. Your practitioner will provide you with written instructions on how and when to take the herbs and a contact number you can phone in the event of any questions. Whilst taking Chinese herbs your practitioner will see you regularly to monitor your progress. If you are given a pre-packaged herbal product it should be clearly labelled in English listing all the ingredients and have an expiry date and a batch number. Do not take any product which does not have this clear labelling.

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I have heard that herbs can cause liver damage. Is this true?
In very rare cases a patient may develop an allergic type of reaction to an ingredient in a Chinese herbal formula, leading to symptoms of an adverse liver reaction. If treatment is stopped as soon as such symptoms occur, there will be no lasting damage. This is a type of reaction which may occur with any medicine, including pharmaceutical drugs. The most common symptoms of this kind of reaction are the following:

Severe tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, upper abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headaches, jaundice, and feeling generally unwell.

None of these symptoms is, in itself, indicative of an allergic response to Chinese herbs. However, if any of these symptoms develop, you should stop taking your herbs and contact your practitioner who will advise you on the appropriate course of action. If you are found to have suffered a rare adverse reaction of this kind, you should on no account start taking herbs again unless you are being properly supervised by a qualified practitioner.

This type of very rare reaction should not be confused with the minor transitory reactions that some people can experience when first taking herbs, such as slight nausea or loose stools, because of initially being unused to taking herbal medicines.

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I have also heard that Chinese herbs can lead to kidney damage. Is this true?
The cases of kidney damage that have been reported concern the use of plant species that belong to the genus Aristolochia, which contain aristolochic acids and which are potentially toxic for the kidneys. The supply and use of any species of Aristolochia is now illegal in Britain, together with the use of non-aristolochic species that might be confused with it. This is a very tough legal regime and registered practitioners are strictly bound to comply with it, in order to exclude such species from any herbal remedy.

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How is the quality of herbs controlled?

The need for herbal quality control has lead to the formation of the Chinese Medicine Association of Suppliers (CMAS). The member companies of CMAS are committed to the provision of authenticated high quality herb and herbal products. In addition, in order to further reassure the public, the RCHM has drawn up a set of rigorous standards for suppliers of Chinese herbs and herbal products, which is to be used as the basis for a list of RCHM Approved Suppliers. This scheme has now been launched and all members of CMAS are being invited to apply. Suppliers who are accepted onto this list will be vetted at regular intervals and will remain on the list only so long as they continue to demonstrate commitment to the necessary standards. You practitioner will be notified of RCHM approved suppliers and will be advised to use them as their main source of herbal medicines.

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Can the herbs contain steroids, or other pharmaceutical drugs?

All RCHM practitioners have been fully alerted to the possibility of contamination of Chinese herbs with pharmaceutical agents and are strictly bound not to supply this kind of product. When supplying prepared Chinese medicines such as pills and creams they are bound to ensure that such products are clearly labelled in English with all ingredients clearly identified.

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I am concerned about the use of endangered species

The RCHM has always condemned the illegal trade in endangered plant and animal species. Strict rules are in force that prohibit the use of any material of this description by RCHM members.

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What if I am taking pharmaceutical drugs?

Herbal and drug treatment can be used at the same time and in most cases this does not present any problems. However, there are certain combinations of herbs and pharmaceutical products which are not advised and in all cases it is very important that you notify your practitioner about any medication you are taking so that this may be taken into account in your treatment. As a matter of caution it is recommended that you take herbal remedies and pharmaceutical drugs at least one hour apart.

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Can you summarise the main points?

• Make sure you go to a registered Chinese herbal practitioner who is supplied by companies with a proven commitment to high standards
• Ensure that you are given clear instruction about when and how to take your herbs
• Do not take any pre-packaged product which is not properly labelled
• If you have any cause for concern stop taking your herbs and contact your practitioner
• Make sure that you tell your practitioner about any conventional medication you are taking.
  

Kim Wells is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine.

For Clinic times, contact details and information about the Haelan Clinic practitioners see The Practitioners page.

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