Unprescribed Herbal Remedies Linked to Rise in Chronic Kidney Disease in Telangana, India
A new study has revealed a concerning link between the use of unprescribed herbal remedies and a growing number of cases of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) in the Telangana region of India.
Researchers at Osmania General Hospital documented the first cases of CKDu in Telangana after observing a pattern of patients presenting with fatigue and swelling between March 2021 and November 2022. Unexpectedly, the majority of these patients had not been exposed to traditional risk factors like agricultural work or contaminated water sources. The study, published in the Indian Journal of Nephrology, found that 40 percent of patients had a history of using alternative herbal “medicines” obtained without prescriptions from unlicensed practitioners. This finding is particularly alarming as kidney disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, and early detection is crucial for effective treatment.
“People in India take a lot of alternative medicines for all sorts of reasons. They don’t even go to licensed practitioners. Without any prescription, they take medicines, some liquid, some bhasma (calcinated stones, gems, minerals or metals) or powder—often because a friend or relative had recommended it,” explained Dr. Manisha Sahay, Professor of Nephology at Osmania Medical College. Among the 30 patients who admitted to using alternative medicines, preparations in leaf form were most common (43%), followed by powders (30%), liquids (16%), and tablets (10%). These remedies were often sought for conditions like infertility, hemorrhoids, and joint pain. The study also noted a significant difference from cases in other regions, such as Sri Lanka, where water contamination is a primary concern; in Telangana, the use of unregulated herbal treatments appears to be a key factor. You can learn more about Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology from the National Kidney Foundation.
Biopsies revealed chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis in all patients, with significant scarring in a large percentage of kidney tissue. Researchers are now calling for larger, multi-center studies to further investigate the causes of CKDu and to determine the extent of the problem. Dr. Sahay emphasized the importance of seeking treatment from registered medical professionals and avoiding self-medication with unverified herbal remedies, adding, “What we can say for sure is that people must avoid unlicensed or unsupervised medicines.” For more information on kidney health, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Researchers plan to continue analyzing data and collaborating with other institutions to understand the complex factors contributing to this emerging health crisis.
