Herbal Supplement Causes Kidney Stones
A 27 year-old male body builder presented with his fourth episode of kidney stones after consuming large quantities of ma huang, an ephedrine-containing Chinese herb favored as an energy booster. His stones were 95 percent ephedrine. The Louis C. Herring Company, an analytical lab, www.herringlab.com has identified over 200 ephedrine-linked kidney stones this year, compared to 20 in 1995. (11.25.98)
Source: Powell et al, American Journal of Kidney Diseases (1998);32:153-9.