Drug-Induced Liver Injury from Herbal Liver Detoxification Tea
Niazi B, Ahmed K, Ahmed M, Ali S, Song K
Published in Case Reports in Gastroenterology
Methodology
Single case report of a 36-year-old woman who developed cholestatic acute liver injury after using an over-the-counter herbal detox tea containing burdock root, nettle, cleavers, dandelion, lemon peel and lemon myrtle.
Key Findings
Clinically significant cholestatic acute liver injury followed use of a multi-herb detox tea containing burdock root; this was the first reported hepatotoxic event linked to any ingredient in the blend.
Conclusions
Herbal detox teas containing burdock root can be associated with idiosyncratic liver injury, warranting caution and symptom awareness.
Limitations
Single case, multi-ingredient product so causality cannot be assigned to burdock, no rechallenge.
Supplements Studied
We describe the case of a 36-year-old female who developed a clinically significant acute liver injury with a cholestatic pattern due to an over-the-counter herbal liver detox tea.
Outcomes Measured
This is the first case reported of a hepatotoxic effect from any of these compounds or ingredients in the detox tea: burdock root, stinging nettle leaf, cleavers herb, dandelion root, lemon peel, and lemon myrtle leaf.
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
None reported
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