Poisoning case sparks warning over Chinese herbal medicine
Patients and herbalists are urged to observe safe prescription levels after a woman became dizzy and suffered limb numbness after taking a Chinese medicine.
The woman, 36, is suspected to have aconitine poisoning after taking a Chinese herbal medicine prescribed by the Chinese medicine clinic at Yan Chai Hospital, Tsuen Wan.
She suffered numbness in the mouth and limbs two hours after taking the medicine, a Centre for Health Protection investigation revealed.
The woman was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital on Friday and was now in stable condition, the centre said.
A preliminary investigation showed the poisoning was not caused by a wrong mix of herbs or labels, a Department of Health spokesman said. An investigation is continuing.
Aconitine is a chemical found in several herbs. Hong Kong Chinese Herbalist Association president Kwan Chi-yee said the chemical was useful in treating rheumatism, body pain and heart failure.
He said it was uncommon to see people suffer from aconitine poisoning.
'As long as the herbalist is prescribing the right amount of herbs and the patient is following the herbalist's advice closely, the risk of developing such serious side effects is zero,' he said.
He reminded people not to buy random Chinese herbs, especially on the mainland, without advice from medical professionals.
Kwan said the frequency of prescribing aconitine varied according to individual herbalists, but he personally used it often as its effect was quick and satisfactory.
Of the 4,342 cases handled by the Hospital Authority's Poison Information Centre last year, 6.7 per cent were caused by Chinese medicine.
