can too many herbs cause kidney failure?

There was a report on a guy from London last July, who apparently developed bladder cancer due to ingesting particular Chinese herbal mixtures....i.e.: plant herbs containing a natural occurring toxic ingredient called: Aristolic Acid. (from the plant genus: Aristolochia) They ARE used as you say, used as diuretics in the treatment of oedema. Theses acids are nitrophenanthrene carboxlyc acid derivitives that basically come from these types of plant species, and can become toxic if taken incorrectly. My advice? Be safe about it, or better yet...don't take any of them at all! cdrxo

It's possible that herbs caused kidney failure, but it's also possible that prescription medicine caused it. As you mentioned, diuretics can be damaging. So can strong antihistamines, cortisone shots and many other things. Our bodies work together in ways we don't understand, so when we medicate ourselves, we should be very cautious, whether it's prescribed medicine or not.

there was a case in the UK recently of a woman who got cancer in her kidney from herbs prescribed by a Chinese doctor. it depends on the herbs really. after all hemlock and deadly nightshade are both herbs as well.