Beware Of Herbal Medicinal Products That Contain Lead And Mercury, New Yorkers Warned
Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative MedicineArticle Date: 18 Jun 2006 - 0:00 PDT
| Patient / Public: | ![]() |
4.55 (11 votes) |
| Healthcare Prof: | ![]() |
4.8 (5 votes) |
| Article Opinions: | 3 posts |
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) today warned New Yorkers against the use of certain herbal medicine products made in China containing high levels of lead and mercury. While there are not specific federal standards about lead and mercury content, the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommends that certain food additives contain no more than 2 parts per million (ppm) of lead and no more than 1 ppm of mercury. Samples of the following products were found to contain very high levels of both lead and mercury:
-- Emperor's Tea Pill (Concentrated) [Tian Huang Bu Xin Wan]
Made by Lanzhou Traditional Herbs in China, contains 5,400 ppm lead and 950 ppm mercury. Labeled use: "helps maintain the body's natural balance."
-- Hepatico Extract (Concentrated) [Shu Gan Wan]
Made by Lanzhou Traditional Herbs in China, contains 1,100 ppm lead and 3,600 ppm mercury. Labeled use: "helps promote a healthy liver and maintain regularity."
DOHMH was informed about these products during an investigation of a case of lead poisoning in a New York City resident. New Yorkers are urged NOT TO USE any products known to contain lead or mercury. Lead and mercury are poisonous metals that can damage the brain, nervous system, reproductive system, kidneys and/or other parts of the body. Children and pregnant women (and their fetuses) are especially at risk.
DOHMH is working with distributors and retail storeowners to remove these products from their shelves. The sale of products deemed to contain poisonous substances or to be detrimental to human health is prohibited under New York City Health Code.
DOHMH has ordered distributors and storeowners where these products are sold to:
-- Immediately stop selling Emperor's Tea Pill (Concentrated) [Tian Huang Bu Xin Wan] and Hepatico Extract (Concentrated) [Shu Gan Wan], both made by Lanzhou Traditional Herbs, and remove them from shelves and inventory stockrooms.
-- Recall all of the above-mentioned products from retailers to whom the products were sold.
-- Package and return these products to the distributors.
-- Post a warning sign advising customers to discontinue use of these products.
DOHMH advises people who may have obtained and used these products to:
-- Immediately stop using these products.
-- Call a physician to request a blood lead test and mercury urine test.
-- Keep products away from children.
-- Return products to store where they were purchased.
-- Call 311 or 212-POISONS (212-764-7667) for additional information or to report locations where these products are sold.
http://www.nyc.gov
Visit our complementary medicine / alternative medicine section for the latest news on this subject.
MLA
15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/45377.php>
APA
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/45377.php.
Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.
|
Rate this article: (Hover over the stars then click to rate) |
Patient / Public: |
or |
Health Professional: |
Visitor Opinions In Chronological Order (3)
Many More Contain Lead
posted by Elizabeth F Cole MD on 19 Jun 2006 at 11:44 amMany ethnic groups use lead in traditional medications. These need study and warning labels. Many candies and children's toys and trinkets, especially from Mexico and China contain lead. US govt through Commerce Dept. has refused to object. Meanwhile, unsuspecting parents do not know of the dangers.
Herbophobia
posted by Letha on 5 Aug 2006 at 4:11 pmIt is too easy for an MD with standard medical training to warn against lead use in traditional "ethnic" formulas. It's like saying, "Modern drugs contain poisons." They do. Try cancer chemotherapy as an example.
If you are going to be helpful, try not to give blanket warnings about "ethnic" i.e., non-American FDA approved medicines, but cite research that proves your point.
And attend the annual conference "Botanical Medicines in Modern Clinical Practice" held each spring at Columbia University Medical School and listen to responsible doctors, including Dr. Andrew Weil, Tieraoana Low Dog MD and others detail the uses, safety factors, and drug/herb interacations of traditional "ethnic" herbs.
You may find that the lead or other impurities infrequently found in herbal products to be a result of processing and not the herb.
http://www.asianhealthsecrets.com
Bogus!....
posted by Josee on 10 Apr 2011 at 4:07 pmPuh-lease!!! There is more lead in drinking water than in Chinese Herbs. All reputable Chinese Herbs undergo strict testing to remain within the safe levels.
Pharmaceutical Drugs are far more dangerous than natural herbs, yet this article does nothing to warn of the dangers of Western Drugs! Let's talk about how deadly Chemo Therapy is why don't we.....
Add Your Opinion
Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.
If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.
All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)
Contact Our News Editors
For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.
![]()
Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:
Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.



