I use liniment containing Aristolochiae for neuropathy pain. Is it detrimental to my health?

Question

Hello doctor,

I practiced Tae Kwon Do in the 80s and used Chinese liniment externally for sprains, muscle aches, etc. Later, the same liniment is used quite successfully to ease the neuropathy pains in my feet, allowing me to sleep well. I am making the same liniment for myself now since its original maker died.

One of the 12 or so ingredients of the liniment is Herba Aristolochiae. Besides the other ingredients 10 gm of dried Aristolochiae plant is added to one to one and a half liter of grain alcohol and soaked for six months. I read several internet articles on this herb but all deal with the detrimental effects of Aristolochiae when taken internally. My daily application of about one to one and a half spoonful liniment externally, only to unbroken skin. I am currently taking Diovan 160 mg, Vytorin 10/20 once daily. So, is the effect of this external application detrimental to my health? Or is the effect of this much Aristolochiae negligible?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As you told Aristolochic acid present in the plant is dangerous when we administer internally (orally or injection). When we take the plant for the long term, definitely it will hurt the kidney (nephropathy). One thing we need to understand that in traditional herbal practice, certain other herbals are combined with this plant so that the toxic effect of this plant could be preventable.

In your case, your blood parameters are now normal. You can do two things. First is to check your renal function test (from blood and urine), to rule out any harm happened to your kidney. The second thing is the estimation of aristolochic acid from your blood. If this chemical is present in the blood in high quantity, then we can understand that this herbal is getting absorbed through your skin. If so, it is dangerous. If it is in trace, then no need to worry. You can continue the skin application. These two things can be done in any good lab. If you get some report, you can share with me for further discussion.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to ciliniq.com.

As Aristolochic acid nephropathy is usually diagnosed in the later stage, you may check your renal function test annually for early detection. If we suspect, then we go further investigations as follows:

In Urine:

1. Retinol-binding protein.

2. N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase.

3. Glucose.

4. Beta 2-microglobulin.

5. Cystatin C.

6. Clara cell protein.

7. Retinal-binding protein.

8. Alpha 1-microglobulin.

b) In Blood: Potassium and Aristolochic acid.

c) Blood pressure.

If these tests show positive, then we have to go for a renal biopsy to confirm the extent of renal damage.