The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Archive for the 'Aristolochic Acid' Category

    Danger of aristolochic acid

    Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

    Since 1990 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about botanical products and dietary supplements containing aristolochic acid.

    Now, The Lancet reports a 30 year-old Chinese man who was diagnosed with a bladder tumor after taking the Chinese herb Longdan Xieganwan for at least 5 years. (Use this link if you are not a subscriber to The Lancet.)

    (more…)

    Aristolochic Acid, Cancer, Chinese Medicine, Consumer Alert | Comments Off on Danger of aristolochic acid

    Consumer alert: 12 dietary herbal supplements

    Monday, April 14th, 2008

    Caught in the act by the FDA, Herbal Science International, Inc. (aka Jen-On Herbal Science International, Inc.) is recalling 12 dietary supplements that contain ephedra, aristolochic acid, or human placenta.

    Human placenta! (more…)

    Aristolochic Acid, CAM Politics, Consumer Alert, Ephedra, FDA/FTC/CDC | Comments Off on Consumer alert: 12 dietary herbal supplements

    More cases of aristolochic acid kidney toxicity reported

    Monday, January 7th, 2008

    The use of products containing aristolochic acid, including botanical products marketed as traditional medicines, has been associated with nephropathy (kidney disease) characterized by rapidly progressive scaring and cancer.

    The authors of this article from the Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong describe 5 patients who experienced aristolochic poisoning. (more…)

    Aristolochic Acid, Chinese Medicine, Consumer Alert | Comments Off on More cases of aristolochic acid kidney toxicity reported