About 100 years ago, natural herbs were the main remedy for treating human diseases. It has been estimated that 25% of modern medicines are made from plants first used traditionally, such as aspirin, artemisinin, ephedrine, and paclitaxel. However, there is limited scientific evidence to establish the safety and efficacy of most herbal products.
The wide application of chemical drugs, herbal medicine, and other traditional therapies have shown sharp contraction
In recent decades, the spectrum of disease has shifted and complex chronic diseases have become the main part. The effect of Western medicine treatment is not satisfactory and problems of adverse drug reaction are also very prominent. Complementary and alternative treatment, especially herbal medicine, has gained more attention and has also become popular.
About 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some aspects of their primary health care [1]. In 2008, the global market for herbal remedies was about USD 83 billion, and now it is about 100 billion (see http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/).
However, there is this perception that when it’s herbal medicine then it’s unsafe- Pharm Doris Kumadoh, PhD. From a recent interview with rafamall.com, she explained that herbal medicine has come to stay wheather we like it or not. Most people have relaized that, they get relieved from their illness when they use natural medication.
She advised herbal medication must be used wisely in a way that won’t pose a threat to our body. Most people use herbal medicine for conditions not stated on the product by the manufacturer which can cause serious complications. Herbal medication must be used for the indication stated on the product by the manufacturer.
She added, it requires a lot of studies to state that herbal medicine is the sole cause of kidney or liver damage. every medicine has side and adverse effects. However, we must note that there are a lot of chemical compounds around including pesticides residues, heavy metals, and issues with galamsey and water bodies.
There are chances of these harmful chemicals getting into our plant products. Cuation must be taken then where we source our plants for production from. Because some of these contiminants can cause some of these organ damage.
We must always have the public safety in mind in whatever we do as producers and manufacturers, she concluded.
By Nana Yaw @theherbalhyper
Watch Full Interview Here
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/2003/fs134/en/
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