VANCOUVER — The BC Centre for Disease Control says products purchased from an herbal clinic in Surrey, B.C., may contain lead or mercury and pose a serious health risk.
The centre says in a news release that at least one client of A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic Ltd. has become ill from lead poisoning.
It says products sold at the clinic were not authorized by Health Canada and should be safely discarded.
Officials with the Fraser Health authority inspected the facility and the release says the clinic has been ordered closed.
Ayurvedic medicine is a traditional style of health care practised in India.
The centre says most ayurvedic products and other traditional remedies and ingredients are imported from abroad.
"While many products can be used safely, some contain ingredients that are poorly described or not listed on the labels, making it difficult to know how they will affect your health," the centre says.
It says symptoms of lead poisoning include anemia, headaches, irritability, slow thinking, constipation, stomach pain and even miscarriages or still births.
The centre advises anyone who has bought products from A1 Herbal Ayurvedic and has health concerns should see a physician and the Drug and Poison Information Centre is available to work with doctors "on any needed diagnosis or treatment."
Photo: BC Centre for Disease Control