Using herbs medically without knowing their composition: are we playing Russian roulette?

Abstract

Herbal medicine, a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), is used throughout the world, in both developing and developed countries. The ingredients in herbal medicines are not standardized by any regulatory agency. Variability exists in the ingredients as well as in their concentrations. Plant products may become contaminated with bacteria and fungi during storage. Therefore, harm can occur to the kidney, liver, and blood components after ingestion. We encourage scientific studies to identify the active ingredients in herbs and to standardize their concentrations in all herbal preparations. Rigorous studies need to be performed in order to understand the effect of herbal ingredients on different organ systems as well as these substances’ interaction with other medications.

Keywords:

• Complementary and alternative medicine
• kidney
• liver
• blood
• herbal medicine
• traditional medicine
• adverse reactions

Transparency

Declaration of funding

This paper was not funded.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Non-relevant financial disclosure: Jochen Raimann is an employee of the Renal Research Institute, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresenius Medical Care.

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Acknowledgements

None.