News released today reveals that 霸王Bawang shampoo (the 4th most popular shampoo manufacturer in China) contains cancer-causing agents. Its shares, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, have since plummeted.
霸王Bawang claims that their shampoos contain Chinese herbal medicine which nourish and prevent hair loss. They also have an anti-dandruff line. International movie star Jackie Chan is their spokesperson, and you often see him promoting 霸王Bawang shampoo products on TV.
Once again, this reminds us all that products made in China (and worldwide, for that matter) should be tested for quality assurance. This particular study revealing carcinogens in the shampoo was done by Hong Kong scientists. In my practice, patients who have taken Chinese herbal medicine (herbs taken from China) usually have some form of heavy metal toxicity. They often have lead, mercury and/ or arsenic levels in their body and need heavy metal detoxification. So, I advise my patients not to take Chinese herbal medicine from their TCM practitioners for a long period of time, or better yet, to find a source/ supplier who uses independently-tested herbs not made or cultivated in China. The herbal medicine (Chinese and Western herbs) I use in practice are wild-crafted and tested for heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, microbial levels, and aflatoxins for safety and quality assurance. Herbal medicine is effective and can help treat many conditions, but if it contains traces of heavy metals or other harmful substances, it may do more harm than good.
Dr. Ardyce Yik ND 