Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Aristolochic acid
Summary
A toxin in some traditional herbal medicines linked to kidney and urinary-tract cancers.
Detail
Aristolochic acid and plants containing it (Aristolochia species) are classified Group 1 by IARC with sufficient evidence for cancers of the renal pelvis, ureter and urinary tract. Exposure is largely through traditional herbal preparations and supplements that contain Aristolochia. Several national regulators have withdrawn Aristolochia-containing products from the market.
Regional relevance
global
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Sources
Primary sources
Consumer references
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- EWG Dirty Dozen (pesticide residues on produce)
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- California Prop 65 list
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- Yuka (packaged-food & cosmetics scanner)
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