Herbal supplements linked with at least six organ transplants in Australia

At least six Australians have required organ transplants as result of taking herbal supplements over the past five years, the nation's organ donations registry revealed on Tuesday.

The study showed that since 2011, at least two kidney transplants and three liver transplants were given to patients who fell ill after taking herbal supplements.

Liver transplant specialist Dr Nick Shackel told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that some herbal extract pills contained dangerous, concentrated doses of compounds which - if taken in excess - could do serious damage.

"There are compounds in green tea which if taken in excess give you predictable liver failure," Shackel said.

Shackel, who is also a representative of Transplant Australia, said these cases were "avoidable", and called for greater warning to be present for those purchasing herbal supplements.

He told the ABC there were patients with an unavoidable need for surgery who were also waiting for crucial organ transplants.

"Clearly, this is an avoidable liver injury," Shackel said.

"Given we always have deaths on the waiting list and we have patients who can't be transplanted simply because we don't have enough organs, we'd clearly like these organs to go to people where there's unavoidable causes of liver failure."

In the wake of the news, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration said it would take into account the reports of liver failure as a part of a wider review for warning labels.

A spokeswoman said it would look to "obtain more information" before deciding on any regulatory action.

"This action could potentially include reducing the allowable limits of particular herbal extracts in complementary medicines," she said.

According to the organ donation registries, there are currently about 1,200 people waiting for a liver or kidney transplant in Australia. Endit