Herbal Teas and Thrombocytopenia: A Curious Case of Yellow Dock and Burdock-Induced Thrombocytopenia

  • Asnia Latif Department of Internal Medicine, Rutgers NJMS/Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ, USA
  • Hardik Fichadiya Department of Internal Medicine, Rutgers NJMS/Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ, USA
  • Fareeha Abid Department of Internal Medicine, Rutgers NJMS/Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ, USA
  • Gerardo Capo Department of Hematology, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ, USA
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12890/2022_003247

Keywords

Herbal tea, thrombocytopenia, yellow dock, burdock

Abstract

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder characterized by a decreased number of platelets. It is an immune system-mediated condition, with formation of antibodies against a structural platelet antigen. Although the pathogenesis remains elusive, primary disease is idiopathic and comprises 80% of cases. However, quite a few secondary causes have been established including Helicobacter pylori, varicella-zoster virus and cytomegalovirus. A few cases with an incidental association with herbal medications have been reported, but this causality has not been studied in detail.

Here we present the case of 38-year-old African-American woman who presented with symptomatic thrombocytopenia, with a platelet count of 5 K/µl 1 week after she had consumed herbal tea containing Rumex crispus (yellow dock) and Arctium lappa (burdock). The association between unstudied herbs and ITP needs further research, given the widespread use of these substances and ongoing public uncertainty about their benefits.

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    • Published: 2022-03-25

    Issue: 2022: Vol 9 No 3 (view)

    Section: Articles

    How to cite:
    1.
    Latif A, Fichadiya H, Abid F, Capo G. Herbal Teas and Thrombocytopenia: A Curious Case of Yellow Dock and Burdock-Induced Thrombocytopenia. EJCRIM 2022;9 doi:10.12890/2022_003247.

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