Accupuncture is responsible for the epidemic levels of hepatits B in Szechuan province.
Please note the particular manufacturer of a contaminated product. Other factories may use the same or similar English name for a contaminated product listed below, when in fact they may be pure.
• An Gong Jiang Ya Wan, Beijing Tung Jen Tang, Beijing. Application: High blood pressure. Contaminants: Arsenic 192 ppm.
• An Kung Niu Huang Wan, Beijing Tung Jen Tang, Beijing. Application: High fever. Contaminants: Lead 184 ppm, Arsenic 46,400 ppm, Mercury 1450 ppm
Comment: An extremely toxic level of arsenic.
• Ansenpunaw, Chung Lien Drug Works, Hangzhou. Application: Insomnia, palpitation. Contaminants: Arsenic 60 ppm, Mercury 3590 ppm. Comment: A very toxic level of mercury.
• Chin Koo Tieh Shang Wan, Tianjin Lerentang Pharmaceutical Factory, Tianjin. Application: Trauma. Contaminants: Lead 11 ppm, Arsenic 35 ppm. Comment: These are low levels of contamination, but they may cause a problem if taken over a period of time. Plum Flower offers a non-contaminated version.
• Ching Chun Bao: Recovery Of Youth Tablets, Hangzhou Chinese Medicine Factory. Application: Geriatric tonic. Contaminants: Arsenic 20 ppm. Comment: This is a low level of contamination. As a tonic, however, long term usage can cause an accumulative affect.
• Compound Prescribed Water Melon Frost, Guilin Chinese Medicines Pharmaceutical Factory, Guilin. Application: Sore throat. Contaminants: Arsenic 1360 ppm, Mercury 1230 ppm. Comment: Arsenic and mercury levels are high. Please note that the following versions are uncontaminated: Compound Watermelon Frost, Guilin Chinese Medicine Factory; Water Melon Frost, Fei Shan United Manufactory.
• Ding Xin Wan, Min-Kang Drug Manufactory, Yichang. Application: Insomnia, palpitation. Contaminants: Lead 77 ppm, Mercury 1750 ppm. Comment: This is a high level of mercury.
• Du Huo Jisheng Wan, Min-Kang Drug Manufactory,Yichang. Application: Lower back pain. Contaminants: acetominophen* Comment: Plum Flower offers the same product in a non-contaminated version.
• Fargelin For Piles, United Pharmaceutical Manufactury, Guangzhou. Application: Hemorrhoids. Contaminants: Arsenic 20,200 ppm. Comment: This is a very toxic level of arsenic. It should not be confused with High Strength Fargelin For Piles, United Pharmaceutical Manufactury; Guangzhou.
• Gan Mao Qing Capsules, Bai Yun Pharmaceutical Factory, Guangzhou. Application: Common cold or flu. Contaminants: Acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine*. Comment: There are many similar formulas without western pharmaceuticals.
• Ganmao Pien, Tianjin Drug Manufactory, Tianjin. Application: Common cold or flu. Contaminants: Lead 241 ppm. Comment: This is a moderately toxic level of lead. Also, there are many similar formulas without heavy metals.
• Guanxin Suhe Jiaonang, Jing Xi Tang Pharmacy, Guangzhou. Application: Coronary heart disease, angina. Contaminants: Arsenic 74 ppm. Comment: This is a moderately toxic level of arsenic.
• Hong She Pills, Chung Lien Drug Works, Wuchang (Hubei). Application: Bi syndrome, arthritis, rhuematism. Contaminants: Mercury 181 ppm, strychnine, ephedrine. Comment: This has a moderate level of mercury. Strychnine is found in the Chinese herb Strychnos Ma Qian Zi, and ephedrine is found in Ephedra (Ma Huang).
• Huang Lien Shang Ching Pien, Tientsin Drug Manufactory, Tianjin.
Application: Bacteriaol infections of the throat, gums or eyes.
Contaminants: Pugelone, phenacetin*. Comment: Plum Flower offers the same product in a non-contaminated version.
• Hui Chun Dan, Kwong Tong Fushan Pharmaceutical Manufactory, Fushan. Application: Pediatric fever. Contaminants: Lead 56 ppm, Arsenic 32 ppm, Mercury 50 ppm. Comment: Not commonly available.
• Kai Yeung Pill: Trisnake Itch-Removing Pill, Wuzhou People's Pharmacy, Guangxi. Application: Skin itching. Contaminants: Lead 5 ppm, Arsenic 51 ppm. Comment: Safer versions are available from Hanyang Pharmaceutical Works; Hubei, and from Plum Flower.
• Kang Gu Zeng Sheng Pian, United Pharmaceutical Manufactory, Foshan. Application: Vertebral calcification. Contaminants: Arsenic 21 ppm, Mercury 35 ppm. Comment: These are low but significant levels of contamination.
• Lu-Shen-Wan, Shanghai Chinese Medicine Works, Shanghai. Application: Sore throat. Contaminants: Lead 40 ppm, Arsenic 82,000 ppm, Mercury 3850 ppm, resibufogenin. Comment: Very toxic level of arsenic and mercury.
• Nan Bao, Tianjin Li Sheng Pharmacy, Tianjin. Application: Male impotence or poor sexual function. Contaminants: Lead 68 ppm. Comment: This is a moderate level of lead contamination.
• Niu Huang Chieh Tu Pien-Bezoar Antipyretic Pills, Peking Tung Jen Tang. Application: High fever. Contaminants: Arsenic 59 ppm. Comment: Taiwan also found this product contaminated with mercury, as well as a product by the same name manufacturered by Tientsin Drug Manufactory, Tianjin.
• Niu Huang Ching Hsin Wan, Tientsin Drug Manufactory, Tianjin. Application: High fever. Contaminants: Arsenic 4520 ppm, Mercury 2080 ppm. Comment: These are very toxic levels of arsenic and mercury.
• Pe Min Kan Wan, United Pharmaceutical Manufactory, Fushan. Application: Sinus congestion. Contaminants: Chlorpheniramine*. Comment: There are many clean versions of this product by other manufacturers, including Fo Shan Herbal and Yu Lam Medicine Factory. Plum Flower also offers it in a non-contaminated version.
• Ren Shen Zai Zao Wan, Kwong Tong Fushan Pharmaceutical Manufactory, Foshan. Application: Wei syndromes, post-stroke, trembling of limbs. Contaminants: Mercury 827 ppm. Comment: This is a toxic level of mercury.
• San She Dan Chuan Bei Powder, United Pharmaceutical Manufactory, Guangzhou. Application: Cough. Contaminants: Arsenic 148 ppm. Comment: This is a significant level of arsenic contamination. Do not confuse it with the glass vial liquid, San She Dan Chuan Bei Ye.
• Shu Kan Wan: Hepatico-Tonic Pills, Lanchow Chinese Medicine Works, Lanzhou. Application: Liver-stomach dysharmony. Contaminants: Arsenic 49 ppm. Comment: Plum Flower offers the same product in a non-contaminated version.
• Tao Chih Pien (For Babies), Tientsin Drug Manufactory, Tianjin. Application: Pediatric fever. Contaminants: Arsenic 26 ppm.
• Ta Huo Lo Tan, Beijing Tung Jen Tang; Beijing. Application: Bi and Wei syndromes, arthritis. Contaminants: Arsenic 30,900 ppm. Comment: This is an very toxic level of arsenic.
• Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan, Min-Kang Drug Manufactory, Yichang. Application: Insomnia, Shen disturbance. Contaminants: Lead 5 ppm, Mercury 1580 ppm Comment: This is a high level of mercury contamination. Plum Flower offers the same product in a non-contaminated version.
• Tien Wang Pu Hsin Tan, Lanchow Chinese Medicine Works, Lanzhou. Application: Insomnia, Shen disturbance. Contaminants: Mercury 2290 ppm. Comment: A high level of mercury contamination. This is a confusing entry, because an identical looking package, Tien Wang Pu Hsin Tan, Lanzhou Foci Pharmaceutical Factory; Lanzhou, had no contaminants. This product (above) may in fact be a countefeit. Plum Flower offers the same product in a non-contaminated version.
• Tin Tzat To Chung Pills, Shan Sai Hang Lam Medicinal Manufactory. Application: Bi syndrome, arthritis and rheumatism. Contaminants: Lead 62 ppm. Comment: This is a moderate level of lead contamination.
• Tsai Tsao Wan, Tientsin Drug Manufactory, Tianjin. Application: Wei syndromes, flaccid paralysis, trembling of limbs. Contaminants: Mercury 204 ppm.
• Tung Shueh Pills (Cow's Head Brand), Ta Ang Pharm Co; Kaohsiang, Taiwan. Application: Bi syndrome, arthritis and rheumatism. Contaminants: Diazapam, chlorzoxanone, caffeine, chlormezanone*.
• Yen Shun Zai Zao Wan, Fushan United Med. Fact. Guangzhou Application: Wei syndromes, post-stroke, trembling of limbs. Contaminants: Lead 51 ppm, Mercury 1500 ppm. Comment: These are high levels of lead and mercury contamination.
• Zhong Gan Ling, Meizhou City Pharmaceutical; Guangdong Application: Viral cold or flu. Contaminants: Mercury 22 ppm; chlorpheniramine, dipyrone*. Comment: This formula is available in a non-contaminated version by Golden Flower.
In addition to the material published in The Compendium, the American-based Chinese herbal product manufacturer and distributor, Mayway USA sent patent medicines out for laboratory analysis, and reports the following contaminants. Parts per million (ppm) of heavy metals, or amounts of other additives, were not reported. The information however, is important to practitioners and again, caution is advised in using the following medicines.
• Bi Tong Pian, Guangzhou Medicine and Health. Application: Sinus congestion. Contaminants: Chlorpheniramine*
• Bi Yan Pian, Chung Lien Pharmaceutical Works. Application: Sinus congestion. Contaminants: Acetaminophen*. Comment: Plum Flower offers the same product in a non-contaminated version.
• Farfunpeiminkam Wan, Foshan United Pharmaceutical Co., Foshan. Application: Sinus congestion. Contaminants: Chlorpheniramine*.
• Gan Mao Ling, United Pharmaceutical, Guangzhou. Application: Cold, flu, respiratory viral infection. Contaminants: Acetaminophen, caffeine*. Comment: Plum Flower offers the same product in a non-contaminated version.
• High Strength Yin Chiao, United Pharmaceutical, Guangzhou. Application: Cold, flu, respiratory viral infection. Contaminants: Acetaminophen, pulegone*.
• Margarite Acne Pills, Foshan United Pharmaceutical Manufactory. Application: Asthma. Contaminants: Sophoridane*. Comment: Plum Flower offers the same product in a non-contaminated version.
• Niu Huang Chiang Ya Wan, Tianjin Pharmaceutical Manufactory. Application: High blood pressure. Contaminants: Mercury, Lead.
• Niu Huang Chiang Ya Wan, Peking Tung Jen Tang, Beijing. Application: High blood pressure. Contaminants: Mercury, Lead.