Why do we rarely see the Chinese medicine Qingmuxiang now? Qingmuxiang is the clinical name for the roots of the Aristolochiaceae plant Aristolochia debilis and Asarum heterotropoides. Qingmuxiang has the effects of promoting Qi circulation, relieving pain, detoxification, reducing swelling, calming the liver, and lowering blood pressure.
Picture of Qingmuxiang
The reason why Qingmuxiang is banned is because it has strong nephrotoxicity. Qingmuxiang contains aristolochic acid, which can cause serious toxic side effects such as acute renal failure and acute tubular necrosis.
In fact, as early as 2004, it has attracted high attention from the country, and in 2004, the plants "Guangfangji" with a high content of aristolochic acid in the Aristolochiaceae family and the roots of the plants Aristolochia debilis and Asarum heterotropoides were banned.
The China Food and Drug Administration has officially issued a document stating that Chinese medicine preparations containing "Qingmuxiang" have their medicinal standards canceled due to potential adverse reactions such as kidney damage. These types of medicines are henceforth removed from the herbal medicine market.
Now, Qingmuxiang is replaced by Guangmuxiang in prescription formulas. If it is necessary to use Qingmuxiang, it must be used under the guidance of a qualified physician, with strict control of dosage and treatment duration, and monitoring of renal tubular and glomerular function during the treatment. However, it should be used with caution in children and the elderly, and it is prohibited for pregnant women, infants, young children, and those with renal insufficiency.
