(a-ris‵tŏ-lō'kē-ă )

[L. aristolochia fr Gr. aristolocheia, birthwort]

A large genus of over 500 plants, from a number of which derivatives are promoted as dietary supplements, e.g., A. manshuriensis (or Manchuriensis), guanmutong (kan-mokutsu); and A. serpentaria, Virginia snakeroot. Compounds derived from Aristolochia species cause fibrosis (scarring) of the kidneys and cancers of the urinary tract.

SEE: Balkan endemic nephropathy; Chinese herb nephropathy; mu tong.