Chinese herbal medicines contain cancerous toxin

A NUMBER of Chinese herbal medicine products on sale in Ireland contain a dangerous, cancer-causing toxin.

The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) carried out tests on sample batches of herb products and found varying degrees of arisolochic acid in four types of tablets.

The substance is used as a slimming aid and is banned in most countries. It is a known carcinogen and carries a high risk of kidney damage and urinary tract cancer.