Hepatotoxicity Associated with Herbal Tea Containing Kelp
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Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Source and Route of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Contamination in Tea Samples
Published on: September 28, 2022
Lavanya Viswanathan1, Anish Patel2
1Division of Internal Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC), Fort Sam Houston, TX.
Abstract:
A 40-yr-old Sri Lankan female presented to the gastroenterology clinic with jaundice. Further work-up revealed extrahepatic cholestasis with a hepatocellular component; however, subsequent work-up revealed no significant findings. Hospitalization revealed hepatotoxicity associated with ingestion of a homemade herbal tea containing kelp (Laminaria), which was confirmed with further history. Hepatotoxicity associated with herbal tea ingestion is rare, but should be a consideration in patients with unexplained jaundice. Inquiries into dietary or herbal supplements should always be made during routine history taking, as it may be useful in achieving the diagnosis.
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