Unusual Cause of Rhabdomyolysis Causing Acute Renal Failure: Achillea millefolium and Rheum palmatum Plants

Introduction: Rhabdomyolysis is a frequent disorder resulting from many different causes which may be apparent from the history, e.g. trauma, heavy exercise, intoxications. It contains both clinical and biochemical components. Acute kidney injury is probably the most significant and the most feared complication of rhabdomyolysis. Even though cases with rhabdomyolysis due to herbal medicine or extracts are reported; rhabdomyolysis because of consumption of plant itself is quite rare.
Case Presentations: Acute kidney injury in two otherwise healthy patients secondary to rhabdomyolysis is presented. Etiologic agents were determined as ingestion of plants named as “Yarrow” (Achillea millefolium) and “Turkish Rhubarb” (Rheum palmatum) growing especially in rural Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey after all other possible causes of rhabdomylosis was ruled out. Hemodialysis was performed to both patients temporarily. Kidney damage was recovered eventually.
Conclusion: Herbal medicine and/or plants usage should be addressed in patients with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury after all known etiologic reasons are ruled out.