Multi-organ toxicity following ingestion of mixed herbal preparations: an unusual but dangerous adverse effect of phytotherapy.

Although herbal remedies are marketed as natural products, they can be associated with severe adverse effects. We report a case of multi-organ toxicity including acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis, acute hepatitis-like hepatotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity accompanied by angio-edema in a Turkish male patient after ingestion of mixed Chinese herbs. Hypersensitivity reactions may be a possible mechanism of pathogenesis in multi-organ toxicity associated with phytotherapy.