Overview

Aristolochia is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground and the root are used to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, aristolochia is sometimes used by mouth to prevent seizures, increase sexual desire, boost the immune system, and start menstruation, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

There isn't enough information to know how aristolochia works.

How does it work ?

There isn't enough information to know how aristolochia works.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea).
  • Achy joints (rheumatism).
  • Arthritis.
  • Boosting the body's defense system (immune system).
  • Excessive crying in infants (colic).
  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
  • Gallbladder pain.
  • Gout.
  • Increasing response to sexual stimuli in healthy people.
  • Obesity.
  • Seizures.
  • Wounds.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of aristolochia for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Aristolochia is UNSAFE. It contains aristolochic acid, which is toxic to the kidneys and causes cancer. Using aristolochia can cause kidney damage leading to the need for kidney dialysis and kidney transplant. It also greatly increases the risk of bladder cancer and other urinary tract cancers.

Health authorities around the world have taken action to protect the public against aristolochia and aristolochic acid. Aristolochia is banned in the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Belgium, and Japan. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seizes any product that it believes might contain aristolochic acid.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Aristolochia is UNSAFE. It contains aristolochic acid, which is toxic to the kidneys and causes cancer. Using aristolochia can cause kidney damage leading to the need for kidney dialysis and kidney transplant. It also greatly increases the risk of bladder cancer and other urinary tract cancers.

Health authorities around the world have taken action to protect the public against aristolochia and aristolochic acid. Aristolochia is banned in the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Belgium, and Japan. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seizes any product that it believes might contain aristolochic acid.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Aristolochia is UNSAFE for anyone to use, including pregnant and breast-feeding women. Aristolochia contains aristolochic acid, which is toxic to the kidneys and causes cancer. Don't use it.

Kidney disease: Aristolochia might bring on early kidney failure in people with kidney disease.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications that can harm the kidneys (Nephrotoxic Drugs) interacts with Aristolochia

    Aristolochia damages the kidneys. Some medications can also damage the kidneys. Taking aristolochia with other medications that can harm the kidneys can increase kidney damage.
    Some of these medications that can harm the kidneys include cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); aminoglycosides including amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin, Gentak, others), and tobramycin (Nebcin, others); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene); and numerous others. Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of aristolochia depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for aristolochia. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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