⚠ Regulatory caution
📰Read the full Stephania (Fang Ji) evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ HIGH RISK — see overview [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Stephania/Fang Ji is the entry point for the BELGIAN NEPHROPATHY DISASTER — >100 patients developed renal failure and cancer from Aristolochia fangchi misidentified as Stephania tetrandra. The most consequential herbal misidentification in history. 'Fang Ji' in Chinese can refer to EITHER plant. Any TCM product containing 'Fang Ji' must be verified at species level — Aristolochia = aristolochic acid = nephrotoxin + carcinogen [1].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
AVOID unless species verified by expert — Aristolochia contamination risk [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
NOT recommended [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: See overview [1].
💊 With food: See overview [1].
🚫 Avoid: See overview [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['See overview', 'restricted', 'See overview [1].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Key safety ▼
Stephania/Fang Ji is the entry point for the BELGIAN NEPHROPATHY DISASTER — >100 patients developed renal failure and cancer from Aristolochia fangchi misidentified as Stephania tetrandra. The most consequential herbal misidentification in history. 'Fang Ji' in Chinese can refer to EITHER plant. Any TCM product containing 'Fang Ji' must be verified at species level — Aristolochia = aristolochic acid = nephrotoxin + carcinogen [1].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
See overview [1]. HIGH
Moderate
See overview [1]. MODERATE
Insufficient
See overview [1]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Absolute contraindications
✕ High substitution risk with nephrotoxic Aristolochia (aristolochic acid) — treat as high-risk; do not use products that cannot exclude Aristolochia
✕ Any kidney condition
Relative
⚠ Aristolochic-acid nephropathy and urothelial cancer are irreversible
⚠ Sourcing/species verification is essential
🚩 Red flags
● HIGH RISK — see overview [1]
6 Interactions
7 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Stephania (Fang Ji) — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 18]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/stephania-fang-ji/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Stephania (Fang Ji) — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/stephania-fang-ji/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: April 2027
References: 1 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Stephania (Fang Ji) — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/stephania-fang-ji/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG