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Risks associated with consumption of herbal teas
R Manteiga1, D L Park, S S Ali
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA.
Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Herbal teas are increasingly popular, but their safety is often unknown due to limited toxicological studies. Some herbal teas contain toxic compounds like pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), posing a public health risk.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Herbal teas are popular health beverages and supplements.
- Increased consumption of herbal teas in the U.S. over the past two decades.
- Limited toxicological data exists for many herbal tea products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential health risks associated with herbal tea consumption.
- To emphasize the public health significance of toxic plant constituents in herbal teas.
- To call for caution regarding the widespread consumption of herbal infusions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing toxicological studies on herbal teas.
- Identification of known toxic plant constituents, such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs).
- Analysis of herbal tea mixtures for toxic/mutagenic potential using bioassays and chromatography.
Main Results:
- Herbal teas can contain naturally occurring toxins, including PAs, tannins, and safrole.
- Human and animal intoxications have been linked to these compounds.
- Infusions can concentrate biologically active compounds, increasing poisoning risk.
Conclusions:
- The safety of many herbal teas is unknown due to insufficient toxicological studies.
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in herbal teas are a significant public health concern.
- Widespread consumption of herbal infusions should be minimized until safety data is available.