Last update Sept. 17, 2026

Jin Bu Huan, toothed clubmoss

Incompatible

Very unsafe. Contraindicated. Use of an alternative or cessation of breastfeeding. Read the Commentary.

A plant native to China. There is also a patented medicine called Jin Bu Huan which contains this plant (Horowitz 1996). It is used in traditional Chinese medicine which attributes to it analgesic, sedative and other properties, none of which have been clearly scientifically proven (Fu 2011). There is little published literature.

Since the last update we have not published data on its excretion in breast milk.

It has caused cases of acute hepatitis and extreme fatigue in adults (LiverTox 2022, Teschke 2012-2014, Conti 2008, Divinsky 2002, McRae 2002, Stickel 2000, Picciotto 1998, Horowitz 1996, Kaptchuk 1995, Woolf 1994, CDC 1994 y 1993) and drowsiness, muscle weakness, respiratory depression and bradycardia in children (Horowitz 1996, CDC 1993) and has been withdrawn from sale in several countries. (Health Canada 2008)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Jin Bu Huan, toothed clubmoss in other languages or writings:

Group

Jin Bu Huan, toothed clubmoss belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Jin Bu Huan, toothed clubmoss in its composition:

References

  1. LiverTox. Chinese and other Asian Herbal Medicines. 2022 May 25. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-. Abstract
  2. Teschke R, Zhang L, Long H, Schwarzenboeck A, Schmidt-Taenzer W, Genthner A, Wolff A, Frenzel C, Schulze J, Eickhoff A. Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbal hepatotoxicity: a tabular compilation of reported cases. Ann Hepatol. 2015 Abstract
  3. Teschke R. Traditional Chinese Medicine Induced Liver Injury. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2014 Abstract
  4. Teschke R, Wolff A, Frenzel C, Schulze J, Eickhoff A. Herbal hepatotoxicity: a tabular compilation of reported cases. Liver Int. 2012 Abstract
  5. Fu LM, Li JT. A systematic review of single chinese herbs for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011 Abstract
  6. Health/Santé Canada Warning: Health Canada Warns Consumers Not to Use Jin Bu Huan Anodyne Tablets Due to Potential Health Risk. News Room 2008 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Conti E, De Checchi G, Mencarelli R, Pinato S, Rovere P. Lycopodium similiaplex-induced acute hepatitis: a case report. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Abstract
  8. McRae CA, Agarwal K, Mutimer D, Bassendine MF. Hepatitis associated with Chinese herbs. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2002 Abstract
  9. Divinsky M. Case report: jin bu huan--not so benign herbal medicine. Can Fam Physician. 2002 Abstract
  10. Stickel F, Egerer G, Seitz HK. Hepatotoxicity of botanicals. Public Health Nutr. 2000 Abstract
  11. Picciotto A, Campo N, Brizzolara R, Giusto R, Guido G, Sinelli N, Lapertosa G, Celle G. Chronic hepatitis induced by Jin Bu Huan. J Hepatol. 1998 Abstract
  12. Horowitz RS, Feldhaus K, Dart RC, Stermitz FR, Beck JJ. The clinical spectrum of Jin Bu Huan toxicity. Arch Intern Med. 1996 Abstract
  13. Kaptchuk TJ. Acute hepatitis associated with jin bu huan. Ann Intern Med. 1995 Abstract
  14. Woolf GM, Petrovic LM, Rojter SE, Wainwright S, Villamil FG, Katkov WN, Michieletti P, Wanless IR, Stermitz FR, Beck JJ, Vierling JM. Acute hepatitis associated with the Chinese herbal product jin bu huan. Ann Intern Med. 1994 Abstract
  15. [No authors listed] From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jin bu huan toxicity in adults--Los Angeles, 1993. JAMA. 1994 Abstract
  16. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).. Jin bu huan toxicity in adults--Los Angeles, 1993. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1993 Abstract
  17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).. Jin bu huan toxicity in children--Colorado, 1993. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1993 Abstract

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