June 10, 2013

The Department of Health is investigating the death of a 40-year-old Nepalese man who tested positive for poisonous aconitum alkaloids.
 
He had a history of consuming a herb called "Bikhama", which is not a traditional Chinese or Western medicine.
 
He had been taking it for about two years without consulting healthcare professionals.
 
He fell ill on June 4 after taking the herb, obtained from a friend who got it in Nepal, and later died in Tuen Mun Hospital.
 
Herbal medicines known to contain alkaloid constituents can be toxic.