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A. californica

Birthwort (Birthworts,Pipevine, orDutchman's Pipe vine) is a common name for plants in the genusAristolochia. Birthwort is notable for its use in Westernherbal medicine,traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),Ayurvedic medicine, and many indigenous herbal traditions. This isdespite causingcancer and kidney failure. Home run forevidence-based medicine!

Given the long and well-documented history of medical usage (since 300 BCE) and the extreme toxicity of birthwort, it could be argued that this is one of the best cases against the "appeal to tradition" and against the related "appeal to ancient wisdom", "appeal to nature", and "argument from authority"fallacies.

Aristolochia has been used for thousands of years in various cultures worldwide as apanacea for numerous diseases. Birthwort was especially thought to be beneficial for women givingchildbirth; the namearistolochia derives from the Greek "άριστο λοχεία" for "noble birth" or "excellent birth".Aristolochia was commonly used in ancientGreek,Roman, and Byzantine pharmaceutical recipes for various conditions, including kidney ailments, peritonsillar abscess, bladder stones, edemas, gout, snakebite, and uterine complaints.

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