Popular Chinese medicine used for migraines could be FATAL, warn watchdogs

Zheng Tian Wan is unregulated but available in the UK Medicine contains herb known as Queen of Poisons Could be toxic for the heart and nervous system Experts urge anyone who has taken herb to visit GP

By Rachel Reilly

PUBLISHED: 11:40 EST, 17 April 2013 | UPDATED: 11:40 EST, 17 April 2013

The plant remedy contains aconite a herb once dubbed the 'Queen of Poisons'

A herbal medicine used by alternative practitioners to treat migraines could be fatal.

Zheng Tian Wan is unregulated but is available in the UK, and it has been linked to serious health complications and death, health authorities say.

The plant remedy contains aconite a herb once dubbed the Queen of Poisons by the ancient Greeks - and could be toxic for the heart and nervous system.

The ingredient is on a UK list of restricted herbal ingredients and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have issued a statement warning against using the product.

The MHRA said the issue came to their attention after a herbal practitioner supplied a patient the unlicensed migraine pills, which have not been tested for safety and quality.

The agency said it has previously received three reports of suspected side effects to aconite.

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