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The Department of Health (DH) is notified by the publisher of a series of publications on Chinese medicine (星辉医疗保健系列) today (April 24) that he would suspend the sale of two books in the series.
Book retailers would also be informed to remove them from shelves.
The books, namely 神经痛治疗与护理 and 风湿病治疗与护理, are for treating neuralgia and rheumatism.
Both recommended a number of herbal formula with excessive processed Radix Aconiti and Radix Aconite Kusnezoffii.
A DH spokesman said Radix Aconiti and Radix Aconite Kusnezoffii were Chinese herbal medicines for pain relief.
"The unprocessed forms are for external use in general. Processed Radix Aconiti and processed Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii can be taken orally only after prolonged decoction as they are toxic.
"The toxic metabolites of processed Radix Aconiti and processed Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii are aconitine, mesaconitine and hypaconitine. Over-dosage of the latter can cause intoxication and symptoms could include numbness of the mouth, limbs and the body, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea, weak pulses and shortness of breath," the spokesman said.
Fatal cases have also been reported, he added.
The publisher also informed DH that he would seek advice from Chinese medicine experts on the accuracy of the remaining books in the series.
The spokesman took the opportunity to call on members of the public to observe the following advice when taking Chinese medicines --
* When purchasing Chinese medicines, they should understand their own health problems and the relevance and nature of the medicines to be bought. Advice from Chinese medicine practitioners should be sought if there is any doubt; and
* To follow their Chinese medicine practitioners' instructions for preparation and consumption of any Chinese herbal products. The public must not adjust the dose and preparatory method by themselves.
He urged members of the public to stop using formulae in the quoted books and if there is any discomfort after taking herbal medicines, they should seek advice from health care workers as soon as possible.
Ends/Thursday, April 24, 2008
Issued at HKT 22:11
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