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Hepatotoxicity Associated with Herbal Tea Containing Kelp
Lavanya Viswanathan1, Anish Patel2
1Division of Internal Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC), Fort Sam Houston, TX.
ACG Case Reports Journal
|July 10, 2015
Summary
A Sri Lankan woman developed jaundice due to liver damage from drinking homemade kelp herbal tea. This rare case highlights the importance of asking about herbal supplements when diagnosing unexplained jaundice.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Jaundice is a common symptom requiring thorough investigation.
- Extrahepatic cholestasis with a hepatocellular component presents a diagnostic challenge.
- Herbal remedies are increasingly used but can have adverse effects.
Observation:
- A 40-year-old Sri Lankan female presented with jaundice and signs of cholestasis.
- Initial investigations for common causes of jaundice were inconclusive.
- The patient reported consuming a homemade herbal tea containing kelp (Laminaria).
Findings:
- Hepatotoxicity was confirmed as the cause of jaundice.
- Kelp (Laminaria) ingestion was identified as the causative agent.
- The case demonstrates a rare instance of herbal tea-induced liver injury.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider herbal supplement toxicity in unexplained jaundice cases.
- Detailed dietary and herbal history is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Raising awareness about potential risks of herbal remedies is important for patient safety.
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