A new study warns that use of certain Chinese herbal products may be linked to increased risk of urinary tract cancer. The study focused on aristolochic acid, a carcinogen found in Chinese herbs such as mu tong (an ingredient in some formulas said to alleviate urinary tract infections).
Researchers analyzed data on 179,295 people, examining the association between use of mu tong and incidence of urinary tract cancer. Study results showed that having been prescribed more than 60 g of mu tong was associated with an increased risk of urinary tract cancer. The increased risk was independent of arsenic exposure (another risk factor for urinary tract cancer).
The study's authors call for a ban on products that contain any amount of aristolochic acid. They also recommend that patients with a history of consumption of mu tong be monitored regularly for urinary cancer.
Chinese herbs containing aristolochic acid have been banned from sale in the USA since 2000 or 2001. You cannot buy or import these herbs.
It would have been nice if you researched this before posting your scary headline.