⛔
Regulatory ban. This ingredient is banned or restricted in one or more countries. See Regulatory Status below.
⚠️
Major drug interaction. This ingredient has clinically significant drug interactions. See Drug Interactions below before use.
⚠

Aristolochia clematitis

Aristolochia clematitis
Unsafe V2 Verified Toxic & Restricted Botanicals
Scan supplement →
PubMed Studies
890
About

European birthwort containing aristolochic acid I and II — among the most potent nephrotoxins and carcinogens known. Causes Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy (AAN), a rapidly progressive renal fibrosis leading to end-stage kidney disease, and urothelial carcinoma. Banned globally.

How it works (mechanism of action)

Acts on cellular signalling pathways relevant to the documented clinical indications. Contains bioactive compounds with enzyme-modulating, receptor-binding, or antioxidant properties studied in peer-reviewed literature.

⚖️ Regulatory Status
⛔
INT — Banned
Globally banned. Causes irreversible renal fibrosis (AAN), end-stage kidney disease, and urothelial carcinoma. No safe dose exists. Contraindicated absolutely.
⛔
ZA — Banned
SAHPRA prohibition (2002).
⛔
VN — Banned
DAV Vietnam prohibition — aristolochic acid banned following international safety data.
⛔
US — Banned
FDA advisory and import alert (2001). Causes Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy (AAN) leading to end-stage kidney disease. Products subject to seizure.
⛔
TW — Banned
TFDA Taiwan prohibition (2003) — all Aristolochia species and aristolochic acid prohibited in medicinal products and health foods.
⛔
TH — Banned
FDA Thailand prohibition — Aristolochia species prohibited in health products following international safety data.
⛔
SG — Banned
HSA Singapore prohibition (1999). All Aristolochia-containing products prohibited.
⛔
SA — Banned
SFDA Saudi Arabia prohibition — aristolochic acid banned in all health products.
⛔
PH — Banned
FDA Philippines prohibition — aristolochic acid on banned substances list for food supplements and herbal medicines.
⛔
NZ — Banned
Medsafe NZ prohibition (2001) aligned with international bans on aristolochic acid.
⛔
NL — Banned
NVWA prohibition under EU Decision 2002/159/EC.
⛔
MY — Banned
NPRA Malaysia prohibition — aristolochic acid banned in all traditional and complementary medicine products.
⛔
KR — Banned
MFDS South Korea prohibition (2000) — all Aristolochia species prohibited.
⛔
JP — Banned
MHLW Japan prohibition (1999) — following nephrotoxicity and urothelial carcinoma cases. All Aristolochia species and aristolochic acid-containing preparations prohibited.
⛔
IT — Banned
Italian Ministry of Health prohibition — all Aristolochia species. EU Decision 2002/159/EC applies.
⛔
AE — Banned
UAE MOH prohibition — aristolochic acid on banned substances list for dietary supplements.
⛔
IN — Banned
CDSCO India prohibition (2007) — aristolochic acid products prohibited following international safety concerns.
⛔
IE — Banned
HPRA prohibition (1999).
⛔
ID — Banned
BPOM Indonesia prohibition — aristolochic acid prohibited in all traditional herbal products (jamu) and food supplements.
⛔
HK — Banned
Department of Health Hong Kong prohibition (2004) — Chinese Medicines Board banned all Aristolochia species following nephrotoxicity cases linked to Chinese herbal medicines.
⛔
GB — Banned
MHRA prohibition (1999) — following Chinese herbal nephropathy cases in UK. All Aristolochia species prohibited.
⛔
FR — Banned
ANSM prohibition (2001).
⛔
EU — Banned
European Commission Decision 2002/159/EC — all Aristolochia species prohibited across all EU member states. Causes irreversible renal fibrosis and urothelial carcinoma.
⛔
ES — Banned
AEMPS Spain prohibition aligned with EU Decision 2002/159/EC.
⛔
DE — Banned
BfArM prohibition (1981) — Germany was first country globally to ban aristolochic acid.
⛔
CN — Banned
NMPA China prohibition — Aristolochia species removed from approved traditional medicine list following international safety concerns. Guanmuton, Qingmuxiang and related herbs banned.
⛔
CH — Banned
Swissmedic prohibition (2001).
⛔
CA — Banned
Health Canada prohibition (2001). No safe dose exists.
⛔
BE — Banned
AFMPS Belgium prohibition aligned with EU Decision 2002/159/EC.
⛔
AU — Banned
TGA prohibition (2001) — all Aristolochia species prohibited from all therapeutic products.
👥 Safety by Population
PopulationSafety RatingMax Safe Dose
GeneralUnsafeNot established
PregnancyUnsafeNot established
ElderlyUnsafeNot established
🚫 Contraindications & Warnings

BANNED in the EU, USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and globally. Causes irreversible renal fibrosis and urothelial carcinoma. No safe dose exists. Contraindicated absolutely.

💊 Drug Interactions (2)
⛔ Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus)
Contraindicated
Immunosuppressants
Management: Combined nephrotoxicity risk is extreme. Aristolochic acid alone causes irreversible renal failure; combination is absolutely contraindicated.
⛔ NSAIDs
Contraindicated
Anti-inflammatories
Management: Additive nephrotoxicity. Both aristolochic acid and NSAIDs are independently nephrotoxic. Absolutely contraindicated.
🏷️ Other Names
European birthwort Birthwort Aristolochic acid plant aristolochia
Updated: 2026-04-02
← All ingredients