Consuming Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication

Aristolochia fangchi

This herb, which has no therapeutic benefit, has been mistakenly used in traditional Chinese medicine in place of other herbs very similar in appearance or of similar name.  Aristolochia has been banned in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/aristol.htm).

LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 12 MARCH 2008.

INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTS

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [39112]

39122 there is some evidence that consuming Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

39189 the veteran has consumed a total of at least 100 grams of Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication at some time.

39190 the veteran consumed a total of at least 100 grams of Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication at least 5 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39191  the veteran has established the causal connection between consuming Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication and VEA service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the bladder.

39192   the veteran has established the causal connection between consuming Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the bladder.

or

39193   the veteran has established the causal connection between consuming Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication and eligible service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the bladder.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [39192]

39195 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's consumption of a total of at least 100 grams of Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication at least 5 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

39199 the veteran's consumption of a total of at least 100 grams of Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication at least 5 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration was materially contributed to by an illness or injury which is identifiable.

39197  the identified illness or injury, which materially contributed to the veteran's consumption of a total of at least 100 grams of Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication at least 5 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, is causally related to operational service.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [39193]

39196 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran's consumption of a total of at least 100 grams of Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication at least 5 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

39199 the veteran's consumption of a total of at least 100 grams of Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication at least 5 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration was materially contributed to by an illness or injury which is identifiable.

39198  the identified illness or injury, which materially contributed to the veteran's consumption of a total of at least 100 grams of Aristolochia fangchi as a contaminant of herbal weight loss medication at least 5 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, is causally related to eligible service.