Dutchmanspipe Fruit — Safety & Interactions
Ma Dou Ling · Fructus Aristolochiae
Contraindicated / High risk. Use only under practitioner supervision.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Kidney disease, prior renal injury, or any suspected aristolochic acid nephropathy
- Cough from cold deficiency rather than heat
- Any unsupervised internal use
Cautions
- Ma Dou Ling contains aristolochic acids, which are associated with irreversible kidney damage and urothelial cancer risk and make this herb inappropriate for casual or supplement-style use.
- Older cough formulas containing Ma Dou Ling should not be treated as safety endorsements because the toxicology profile is now far better understood than in the classical period.
- MSK page not found - drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database
Drug Interactions
| Drug Class / Substrate | Mechanism | Severity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nephrotoxic medications such as cisplatin, calcineurin inhibitors, or high-risk NSAID exposure - theoretical additive kidney injury risk | |||
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified practitioner before any use.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.