Contribo
Aristolochia spp.
Herbs & Roots. Dr. Sebi's list.
Also called Birthwort, Dutchman's pipe, Aristolochia
Causes kidney failure and cancerA group of vines and herbs whose roots contain aristolochic acid, a compound that harms the kidneys and can cause cancer. Do not use.
Did you know? The genus name comes from Greek words meaning best childbirth, because old healers used these plants for labor. In Belgium, herbal weight-loss capsules caused kidney failure in at least 100 people.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Women's health. Used to bring on periods and labor in old medicine. No human trials exist, and the use is dangerous.Not supported
- Wounds, burns & bites. Old wound use has no human tests, and the kidney risk outweighs any benefit.Not supported
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Old healers used these plants for childbirth, wounds and snakebite. Some products still sell them for weight loss or detox.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Emmenagogue, Vulnerary. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
No safe use exists. Traditional use involved teas or powders. Do not take it.
Decoction, capsule and powder.
Where to get it
Grows as climbing vines and herbs in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. Some products sold in shops and online list it under other names, so the plant is hard to identify.
Be careful
Aristolochic acid can destroy kidney tissue and cause urinary tract cancers. Even small amounts can do harm. US regulators told people to stop using these products in 2001. Avoid all Aristolochia products.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; kidney disease; bladder or urinary tract cancer.
Mixing with other things
No specific mixing notes on file. That doesn't prove it's safe with everything; ask a pharmacist about your full list.
The honest take
Aristolochic acid is among the most dangerous plant compounds. It has caused kidney failure and urinary tract cancers in many people. No dose is known to be safe, so avoid all Aristolochia products.