Medical Health Encyclopedia

The following warnings are of particular importance for people with scleroderma:

Chinese Herbal Remedies. A 2002 study reported that a woman with CREST syndrome had developed slowly progressive kidney disease after taking Chinese herbs. Studies suggest that up to 30% of herbal patent remedies imported from China having been laced with potent pharmaceuticals such as phenacetin and steroids. And one study reported a significant percentage of such remedies containing toxic metals.

High-Dose Antioxidants. Some studies are now suggesting that excessive use of antioxidant supplements may interfere with other nutrients or convert into pro-oxidants and become harmful. Of particular concern are studies that have found an increase in lung cancer and overall mortality rate among smokers who took beta-carotene supplements. And, even more worrisome, in people with existing cancer, high doses of antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamins A, C, E, or beta carotene, may actually protect cancer cells (just as they do healthy cells). One small study found that high doses of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, interfered with cholesterol-lowering drugs and blunted their effect. This study also supports other evidence that high doses of vitamin C may speed up atherosclerosis.

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Comfrey. Comfrey is an herbal remedy used for a number of inflammatory problems. Recently, there is evidence that comfrey can be toxic to the liver and animal studies have reported a possible cancer risk. It is banned in Canada and other countries but is widely available in the US.

Gingko. Although the risks for gingko appear to be low, there is an increased risk for bleeding at high doses and interaction with high doses of vitamin E anti-clotting medications. Commercial gingko preparations have also been reported to contain colchicine, an agent that can be harmful in pregnant women and people with kidney or liver problems. It should be further noted that not all brands have any effect at all. In a 2002 study one-third of 26 brands tested did not contain enough active ingredients to provide any benefits at all.