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O. vulgatum consumption linked to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury in 10 patientsThis Common Herb May Cause Dangerous Muscle Breakdown

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Key Takeaway
Consider O. vulgatum as a probable cause of rhabdomyolysis and AKI in patients with unexplained myalgia.

This retrospective case series included 10 patients admitted to the First People’s Hospital of Neijiang City who developed rhabdomyolysis after consuming O. vulgatum for stewing soup. The primary outcome was rhabdomyolysis, with secondary outcomes including fatigue, paresthesia, acute kidney injury, hospital stay, survival, and symptom resolution.

All 10 patients (100%) experienced severe myalgia. Fatigue was reported in 50% and paresthesia in 20%. The median peak creatine kinase level was 4099 U/L, with a range of 2,427–17,250 U/L. Acute kidney injury complicated the course in one patient (10%). The median hospital stay was 6 days, and all patients survived.

Safety findings included rhabdomyolysis, fatigue, paresthesia, and acute kidney injury as adverse events. All patients immediately discontinued the herbal intake. The causal relationship between O. vulgatum and rhabdomyolysis was assessed as 'probable' for all ten patients according to the WHO-UMC scale.

Key limitations include the small sample size of 10 patients and the retrospective design, which limit generalizability. This is the first case series indicating an association between O. vulgatum consumption and severe rhabdomyolysis. Practice relevance suggests clinicians and the public should be aware of this risk and avoid excessive or unconventional herbal use, with a detailed history recommended for patients with unexplained myalgia and elevated CK levels.

Subheading: Why Doctors Need to Know

Many people believe herbal remedies are always safe. They are often used for centuries without major issues. But this new report changes that view completely. We used to think these soups were harmless. Now we know they can hurt your muscles.

Think of your muscles like engines in a car. They need fuel and rest to run well. Sometimes, a toxin blocks the fuel line inside the cell. This causes the engine to overheat and fail. Waste builds up and leaks into your blood.

Subheading: The Hidden Danger in Your Kitchen

Researchers looked at ten patients in China recently. They all ate a specific herb called Yi Zhi Jian. It was cooked into soup for health. The symptoms started within seven hours of eating.

Everyone felt terrible muscle pain after eating the soup. Blood tests showed muscle enzymes were very high. One person had kidney trouble from the waste. All patients stopped the herb immediately.

Stopping the soup helped everyone recover fully.

But there is a catch.

Experts say doctors need to ask about supplements. Many patients hide what they take from their doctors. Knowing the full history helps save lives. Doctors should check for this herb if pain is unexplained.

You do not need to panic about herbs. This is rare and specific to one plant. But be careful with unverified herbal soups. Talk to your doctor before trying new remedies.

Only ten people were studied in this report. We need more data to be sure. The study was small and happened in one city.

More studies will check the exact cause. Doctors will watch for similar cases. Approval for safety takes time and testing.

Subheading: What Happens Next

Doctors will monitor patients for muscle pain closely. They will ask about herbal soups during visits. This helps catch problems before they get worse.

Patients should avoid this specific herb for now. It is better to be safe than sorry. Your health is the most important thing.

Subheading: The Road Ahead

More studies will check the exact cause. Doctors will watch for similar cases. Approval for safety takes time and testing.

Study Details

Study typeCohort
EvidenceLevel 3
PublishedApr 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundO. vulgatum (Ophioglossum vulgatum, commonly known as “Yi Zhi Jian”) is a traditional herbal medicine and food ingredient widely used for its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties and generally considered safe. However, its potential for severe muscular toxicity, particularly rhabdomyolysis, has not been systematically reported.Case PresentationA retrospective case series analysis was conducted on 10 patients admitted to the First People’s Hospital of Neijiang City from 2024 to 2025 with O. vulgatum poisoning complicated by rhabdomyolysis. All patients ingested O. vulgatum for the purpose of “stewing soup”, with a median latency period of 7 h. The predominant symptoms were severe myalgia (100%), fatigue (50%), and paresthesia (20%). The median peak creatine kinase (CK) level was 4099 U/L (range 2,427–17250 U/L). Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicated the course in one patient (10%). All patients immediately discontinued the herbal intake and received supportive treatment including aggressive hydration and urine alkalinization. The median hospital stay was 6 days. At the last follow-up, all patients survived, with complete resolution of muscular symptoms and recovery of renal function. The causal relationship between rhabdomyolysis and O. vulgatum was assessed as “probable” for all ten patients according to the WHO-UMC scale.ConclusionThis is the first case series indicating an association between O. vulgatum consumption and severe rhabdomyolysis. Clinicians and the public should be aware of this risk and should avoid excessive or unconventional use. A detailed history of herbal medicine use is recommended for patients presenting with unexplained myalgia and elevated CK levels.
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