Smearwort (Zaravand Mudharij) Blog Detail

Description

Aristolochia is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground and the root are used to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, aristolochia is used to prevent seizures, increase hapiness, boost the immune system, and start menstruation. It is also used to treat snakebite, intestinal pain, gallbladder pain, arthritis, gout, achy joints (rheumatism), eczema, weight loss, and wounds.

How does it work?
There isn’t enough information to know how aristolochia works.

Convulsions (seizures).
Boosting the body’s defense system (immune system).
Starting menstruation.
Colic.
Gallbladder pain.
Arthritis.
Gout.
Achy joints (rheumatism).
A skin condition called eczema.
Weight loss.
Wounds.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of aristolochia for these uses.

Aristolochia is UNSAFE. It contains aristolochic acid, which is toxic to the kidneys and causes cancer. Use of aristolochia can cause kidney damage leading to the need for kidney dialysis and kidney transplant. It also greatly increases the risk of bladder cancer and other urinary tract cancers.

Health authorities around the world have taken action to protect the public against aristolochia and aristolochic acid. Aristolochia is banned in Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Belgium, and Japan. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seizes any product that it believes might contain aristolochic acid. The FDA will not release the product until its maker proves the product does not contain aristolochic acid. Health Canada, the Canadian health authority, removed five aristolochia-containing Chinese herbal medicine products from sale. The products include Touku Natural Herbal Rheumatic Pills, two brands of Tri-Snakegall & Fritillary Powder, Tracheitis Pills, and Gastropathy Capsules.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Aristolochia is UNSAFE for anyone to use, including pregnant and breast-feeding women. Aristolochia contains aristolochic acid, which is toxic to the kidneys and causes cancer. Don’t use it.

Kidney disease: Aristolochia might bring on early kidney failure in people with kidney disease.