90% of Chinese traditional medicine in Australia is poisonous

Three Australian universities collaborated and released an analysis of traditional Chinese herbal remedies that showed toxic metals or compounds that did not publish ingredients such as rat DNA or antihistamines .

Learn about Chinese traditional medicine

According to Business Insider, Chinese traditional medicine uses herbal raw materials . In Australia, they are made into pellets or powder, so it is not possible to identify each plant with the eye. In addition, many herbs also do not have a specific chemical identity.

A Chinese herbalist is weighing medicine.(Photo: Reuters).

The study was conducted by a team of scientists at Curtin University, Murdoch and Adelaide, published in the December 10 issue of Nature Scientific, which uses a new advanced mass spectrometry (MS) technique. Accumulated a number of common traditional oriental medicine products in Australia.

They analyzed drug samples according to three factors: DNA, toxins and heavy metal tests, to elucidate the molecular composition of 26 Chinese traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) in the drug market in Adelaide; It is common to treat colds, flu or supplements in general.

A summary of the infection components in TCM shows that there are many toxic metals, unknown or illegal DNA components that are not listed, poisoned, and heavy metals.

Nearly half of these samples are not licensed by the Australian Health Management Authority (TGA) and are not allowed to be sold. Contaminants are also detected in both TGA licensed and unlicensed drug lists, including pharmaceutical ingredients and heavy metals.

Diagram of classification of substances in 26 types of TCM drugs. The blue under-the-top pills are on Australia's "listed" list , red is outside the list. The mint, pink and gold colors show DNA, toxins and heavy metals, respectively, that do not conform to regulations. There are also some types that contain both or three substances (green, brown, orange, dark yellow). "Non-conforming regulations" are defined as containing banned substances, or substances that are not on the register list, unclear medicinal properties, or containing mandatory heavy metals may only use appropriate dosages on a daily basis.Two "unspecified" types of TCM are 17 and 10, because the drug component has not been tested according to this method.(Photo: Nature)

Plant or animal DNA of many species is not included in the registration label such as snow leopard (animal classified as prohibited group), cobra snake, frog, mouse, cat and dog. In addition, many drugs such as paracetamol, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory, antibiotics, stimulants such as pseudoephedrine are also found. Most notably, anticoagulants such as warfarin - drugs used under special medical supervision, if not, will cause long-term damage to the body; and ephederine - substances banned in Australia, were also found.

What this means?

Substances of varying concentrations found in counterfeit products, or infections, may be intentionally added, or because the production site does not guarantee hygiene or herbs grown in the land. polluted.

It is difficult to determine the use and dosage of each ingredient in a drug. For example, heavy metals or toad venom may be added to increase the therapeutic effect of the remedy. In the US, many herbal medicines are considered supplements. However in Australia, it is listed as a drug.

TGA drugs in Australia can be accepted as "registered" or "listed". Most herbal medicines in Australia are classified as "listed". Unlike "registered" drugs like paracetamol or warfarin, the regulation of "listing" drugs is less stringent.

Chinese herbal remedies can be prepared in the form of powder, capsules, or dried herbs.(Photo: Flickr).

The multi-billion dollar herbal medicine industry in the world, is present in almost every country. The "tool" set identifies herbal ingredients given by Australian scientists, in order to screen traditional medicines, to ensure consumers are buying "herbs" properly, effectively and without use. trick. At the same time, provide a more effective control route in the field of herbal medicine for managers.