The Arizona Department of Health Services is advising parents of infants or young children, and pregnant women to avoid taking lead containing folk remedies. Lead has been found in some folk remedies used in Hispanic, East Indian, Indian, Middle Eastern and West Asian cultures. Folk remedies may contain herbs, minerals, metals or animal products. Some folk remedies contain lead and other metals because it is thought that these metals are useful in treating some aliments and illnesses. Some folk remedies may become accidentally contaminated with lead during the grinding, coloring or by other methods of preparation.Some folk remedies found to contain lead are Greta and Azarcon. These are traditional Hispanic remedies used to treat empacho and other stomach ailments. They are also known as alarcon, coral, luiga, maria luisa or rueda. These folk remedies have also been found to contain lead. Ghasard is an Indian folk remedy used as a tonic and Ba-baw-san is a Chinese herbal remedy used to treat colic. You cannot tell by looking at or tasting a remedy if it contains lead or not. Only a laboratory can determine if a folk remedy contains lead. Consuming even a small amount of lead can be harmful and cause lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can harm the brain, nervous system and result in death. 

Parents of infants or young children and pregnant women who may have taken a lead containing folk remedy should consult with their physician or health care provider to determine if further medical testing is needed.

What do I do if my child or I have taken folk remedies that contain lead?
Consult your physician or your health care provider. Only a physician can recommend and perform a blood test to determine if further treatment is needed. Most adults and children with elevated blood lead levels do not have any symptoms.  As blood lead levels increase, so does the lead’s effect on health.

How can I tell if the folk remedy I used contains lead?
Lead has been found in powders used to treat stomach ailments such as empacho, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, colic and other illnesses.  Greta and Azarcon are traditional Hispanic folk remedies.  These folk remedies are fine yellow to orange powders that have a lead content of 90% or higher.  Other cultures may have folk remedies that contain lead.  Only a laboratory can determine if a folk remedy contains lead.  If you have reason to suspect that you or your child may have taken a folk remedy containing lead consult your physician for a blood test and/or treatment options.