Arsenic and Mercury in Traditional Chinese Herbal Balls
1995; Massachusetts Medical Society; Volume: 333; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1056/nejm199509213331217
ISSN1533-4406
AutoresEdgard O. Espinoza, Mary-Jacque Mann, Bob Bleasdell,
Tópico(s)Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
ResumoTo the Editor: While examining imported traditional Chinese medicines for the presence of products from endangered species, we have detected potentially toxic levels of arsenic and mercury in certain herbal-ball preparations. Herbal balls are aromatic, malleable, earth-toned, roughly spherical, hand-rolled mixtures of primarily herbs and honey. They are 1.5 to 2.5 cm in diameter and weigh 2.5 to 9.0 g. The literature accompanying most preparations instructs the consumer to dissolve the balls in warm wine or water and to drink it as a tea. Herbal balls are used as self-medication for a wide variety of conditions, including fever, rheumatism, apoplexy, . . .
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