According to an article recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, contamination of wheat with aristolochic acid - a plant toxin - may be the cause of the mysterious and deadly kidney disease called Balkan nephopathy. Despite the strong similarities between Balkan nephopathy and Chinese herb nephropathy, researchers could never prove they had the same cause - aristolochic acid - because most of the victims denied using herb supplements. Fifty years later, the mystery may have been solved by the brilliant detective work by Arthur Grollman of the University of Stony Brook. Dr. Grollan has found strong evidence suggesting that the local wheat supply is contaminated by a weed called birthwort or Aristolochia clematis, which produces the famed toxin. Assuming this is true, weeding out this plant should cure the disease.

Balkan nephropathy is disease that is associated slowly progressive scarring of the kidneys (chronic tubulointerstitial disease) and cancers of the urinary tract. It was first described in the 1950’s and those affected usually live in the Balkan area of southeastern Europe. Until recently, the etiology was not clear but it is now believed to be caused by aristolochic acid, a toxin found in the plant Aristolochia clematis.

Aristolochic acid, a component of certain Chinese herb medicines, is well known to cause severe kidney failure and cancer of the urinary tract system. To date, a significant number of Chinese herbal medicines have been identified containing aristolochic acid, including those products with the words "Aristolochia," "Bragantia" or "Asarum”. Despite import bans for this dangerous compound by various governments, herbal medicines containing it are still available through the internet or from unethical manufacturers or dealers.

• Kidney Failure From Chinese Herbal Medicines