Harmful Effects of Herbal Medicines Towards Human’s Health.
Herbal medicines is a medication prepared from plants, including most of the world's traditional remedies for disease. Herbs have been used as remedies or medicines over many hundreds of years. By their very nature, herbs are complex, each one comprising tens if not hundreds of individual chemical compounds, so identifying the active components is not a simple matter. Herbs have few side effects but this does not mean you can take them freely and without care. Many people mistakenly assume that because they are natural they are harmless. High doses taken for a long time can cause a lot of problems. Some common concerns is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbal supplements for dose, content, or pureness. In an article by Melissa Davey said, a research reveal that herbal medicines can have dangerous side effects. There are three harmful effects of herbal medicines towards human’s health such as kidney failure, liver damage and complications during surgeries.
Figure 1 : shows some example of herbal medicines.
The herbal supplement market is a multi-million dollar business. You may hear from a friend or family member about an herbal that they think has improved their health or well-being and they suggest it to you. While this advice may be fine for them, it can be harmful to you with kidney disease. National Kidney Foundation stated that use of herbal medicines or supplements is often unsafe because some of them have aristolochic acid, which is harmful to kidneys. Also, your kidneys cannot clear waste products that can build up in your body. Besides, many herbal medicines can interact with prescription drugs. A few examples are echinacea, ginkgo, ginseng and blue cohosh. If someone have a kidney transplant, they are especially at risk, as any interaction between herbal medicines and supplement could put them at risk for losing their kidney.
Next, the last few decades have seen a rise in the use of herbal medicines, natural products, and traditional medicines. However, there are growing concerns related to the safety and toxicities of these medicines. These herbal medicines are associated with complications such as liver damage with a high incidence of mortalities and morbidities. According to National Centre of Biotechnology Information, U.S. stated that some reports from China have revealed incidences of acute liver failure as a result of herbal medicine use. It also reported that some cases of Australians dying of liver failure following ingestion of herbal products. For instance, arnica is one example of herbal taken by some people to help constipation. But, it can damage our liver, or bring on a coma or death. Moreover, in a medical journal, written by Tse-Ling Fong, a series of seven patients who are having severe liver injury. They developed the liver damage after taking a health supplement called Lipokinetix to lose weight. This supplement is a mixture of chemicals that includes an extract from a particular tea. It is said to reduce weight by working to mimic exercise and increase metabolism. How and why can this medicines can damage the liver? Within three months of starting Lipokinetix, these seven patients developed symptoms of acute hepatitis, including tiredness, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. One of the patients actually developed acute (rapid) liver failure and almost required a liver transplant to save her life. Indeed, in all seven patients, the symptoms disappeared and the liver tests returned to normal within several months after discontinuing Lipokinetix.
Besides, herbal medicines also can cause complications during surgeries. Even though they might say "natural" or "herbal" on the bottle, commonly used herbal such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, or echinacea can be dangerous when used in the days before surgery, said David J Rowe, a plastic surgeon . Yet studies suggest as many as 70% of patients don't tell their doctors they are taking herbal supplements. Moreover, taking herbs in the weeks before surgery could cause a bad reaction with anesthesia medicines, or they may cause too much bleeding during and after surgery. This is dangerous because many people taking herbal supplements don't tell their surgeon or anesthesiologist about them. According to University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, New York ,2020, they said ginkgo is used to improve memory. But it may cause prolonged bleeding during or after surgery. It may also make the sedation effects of anesthesia last longer. Next, ginseng. This is commonly used for an energy boost or to lower blood sugar levels. During surgery, ginseng may cause high blood pressure and a rapid heart rate.
In conclusion, herbal medicines can give negative effects towards human’s health such as kidney failure, liver damage and complications during surgeries. Herbal supplements are not FDA-approved medicines. They may have many benefits. But they aren't as reliable and safe as prescription medicines and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Be careful about purchasing herbal medicines and always see your regular medical doctor (GP) about any health concerns and tell them about any herbal medicines you are taking or thinking of taking. If you have any surgery planned, have this talk right away. Also, plan to stop these herbs in the weeks before your surgery.
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