Changing the Name of Chinese Herbs Nephropathy to Aristolochia Nephropathy or Aristolochic-Acid Nephropathy

Abstract

In this article, the proposal to rename “Chinese herbs nephropathy” was reviewed. Prolonged use of Chinese herbs that contain aristolochic acid may induce tubulo-interstitial disorders. In our opinion, the “Chinese herbs nephropathy” nomenclature is equivocal, and should be changed to “aristolochic-acid nephropathy”. Professor Vanherweghem, who is the first author to write about this disease, also used the name “Aristolochia nephropathy.”