Mistaken identity of herbal ingredients

The MHRA is aware of a number of incidents over recent years where herbal ingredients used in herbal remedies have been mis-identified by someone manufacturing or making up remedies.

This has led to risk or, in some cases, actual harm to people. Such incidents have affected a variety of countries. Wherever such an incident is reported, however, it is of potential concern to the UK. This is because there is an international trade in herbal remedies and herbal ingredients, with a consequent risk that such products or ingredients may find their way on to the UK market. Also, where evidence has emerged of similar looking ingredients becoming confused this may be an indicator that a similar problem could recur elsewhere.

Incidents of this kind emphasise the need for rigorous control through the supply chain to ensure that all ingredients used in the manufacture of herbal remedies are properly authenticated by someone with the necessary expertise and using validated methodology.

Intended ingredient	Ingredient used	Notes
Stephania, Clematis and others	Aristolochia species	Aristolochic acids associated with cancer and kidney failure; repeated incidents have been identified in various countries including the UK.
Gentian	Podophyllum	Cases of Podophyllum poisoning have been reported from Hong Kong following inadvertent use of Podophyllum root instead of Gentian. Internal use of Podophyllum can cause serious toxicity and may be fatal.
Scutellerai	Teucrium	Substitution of Scutellaria by Teucrium species has been known to occur in the UK, Teucrium species have been linked with cases of liver toxicity.
Plantain	Digitalis	Cases of serious cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) were reported in the US in 1997 following the accidental substitution of plantain with Digitalis.
(Chinese) Star Anise	Japanese Star Anise	Japanese Star Anise contains compounds not present in Chinese Star Anise and known for convulsant effect; affected several European countries in 2001

Source: http://www.mhra.gov.uk