The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notice of immediate recall of several defective dietary herbal supplements due to a risk of health problems.

Herbal Science International Inc. is recalling twelve of its supplements at the direction of the FDA due to the health hazard that they pose. Nine of the products being recalled contain the ingredient ephedra which has the botanical component ephedrine alkaloids. Ephedrine alkaloids are “adrenaline-like stimulants that can have potentially dangerous effects on the heart.” They can cause blood pressure to go up and can have the same effects as a stroke or heart attack.

Two of the other products being recalled have the ingredient aristolochic acid. Arisitolica acid is a strong carcinogenic and nephrotoxic botanical chemical. Taking supplements containing these ingredients poses a risk for kidney failure.

The product containing human placenta is being recalled because the FDA has not approved human placenta for human consumption. It is illegal to sell it in the US as it can carry disease.

The products are being sold under the following labels:
Wu Yao Shun Qi San
Qing Bi Tang (Nasal Cleanser)
Zhong Fong Huo Luo Wan (Stroke Revito Formula)
Xiao Qing Long Tang (Little Green Dragon)
Ding Chuan Tang
Xiao Xu Ming Tang
Feng Shi Zhi Tong Wan (Joint Relief)
Guo Min Bi Yan Wan
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San

The FDA is asking consumers to discontinue using these defective products at once and return them to their retailer for a refund. If you have taken these products and have felt any adverse reactions, you should contact your physician immediately. If you have questions or are unsure of the products, you can call Herbal Science at 626-333-9998 or the FDA at 800-FDA-1088.

A 60 year-old female driver unexplainably lost control of her car causing a terrible auto accident on a busy highway in Lauderhill yesterday.

The Nissan ricocheted off another vehicle going the same direction and headed directly for a bus stop where it struck three victims. One of the female victims landed on the hood of the Nissan and was carried over 500 feet – all the while the car was mowing down a street sign, bouncing off vehicles and crashing through a hedge. The victim on the hood of the car at last ended up on the ground in the parking lot of a church and did not survive. Another victim taken to a local hospital was stuck by the flying One-Way street sign.

The driver was taken to the hospital with chest pains and it was not determined if the accident caused the pain or the pain caused the accident.

One local police officer likened the car crash scene to that of a billard table as the car bounced off the several cars.