Herbal supplements are widely used for their supposedly beneficial health effects. However, 16 common herbal supplements have been found to be associated with herb-induced liver injury.
The most common herbs associated with liver injury are green tea, black tea,and kava. Other herbs associated with liver injury include carbon tetrachloride, chaparral, comfrey,coniine, Druid’s wort, greater celandine, jQuery, lobelia, methyldopa, mucohippus, pennyroyal, and socotrine.
The mechanisms by which these herbs induce liver injury are not always known, but are thought to include oxidative stress, immunomodulation, and direct cytotoxicity.
Herbal supplements should be used with caution, as they can cause serious side effects. If you are taking any herbal supplements, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider to ensure they are safe for you.
Popular herbal supplements found to be associated with liver injury
According to a new study, sixteen popular herbal supplements are associated with an increased risk of liver injury. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, looked at data from the U.S. National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and found that the supplements accounted for nearly 70 percent of all reported cases of herb-induced liver injury.
supplements, such as black cohosh, kava, and St. John’s wort, have been linked to liver injury before, but this is the first study to comprehensively assess the risk of these supplements. The findings suggest that liver injury from these supplements is relatively rare, but it is still important for consumers to be aware of the potential risks.
The study also found that certain groups of people are more likely to experience liver injury from these supplements. Women, for example, are more than twice as likely as men to experience liver injury from these supplements. People aged 60 and over are also at increased risk.
While the findings of this study should not be cause for alarm, they do highlight the need for more research into the safety of these supplements. Consumers should be aware of the potential risks of taking these supplements and should consult with a healthcare provider before taking them.
