Must Carefully Use Herbal Products to Support Treatment
Senin, 30 Maret 2020
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Old herbal products are believed to be a supporter of treatment to treat several diseases and keep the body healthy. Herbal products can be in the form of medicines or supplements derived from plants such as leaves, roots, flowers, and parts of other plants.
However, not all herbal products that are marketed are safe to use. It's best to understand the ingredients in herbal products so that you avoid health problems. If necessary, consult a doctor before using any type of herbal product.
Benefits of Herbal Products
Herbal products can be available in powder form, capsules, liquid extracts, dried plant parts or other forms. How to consume can be taken as a pill or powder, brewed like tea, mixed into water to drink, applied to the skin or added to water for bathing.
Read: The content of herbal medicines that can improve your body's endurance
In general, the use of herbal products aims to support the healing process and restore the immune system. For example, pasak Bumi which is considered as an herbal product that can increase testosterone levels, energy, and resistance to the burden of physical activity. There are also herbal products that are rich in antioxidants such as Noni juice, guava, tomatoes, apples, and pineapples, so they are widely used to treat conditions related to aging and endurance.
Also, herbal products with mangosteen extract contain xanthones, which function as antioxidants and are believed to have the potential to prevent cancer.
In some cancer patients, herbal products are commonly used as a complement or alternative therapy. Some studies show 60 out of 100 cancer sufferers use herbal medicines simultaneously with conventional cancer treatment methods. Then, there are also herbal products that are considered to reduce the risk of heart disease.
How Safe are Herbal Products for Health?
Herbal medicinal products actually contain almost similar to medical drugs sold in pharmacies. However, what makes herbal products different from medical drugs is the extraction process carried out. Herbal products are often mixed to get balance, while most medical drugs only concentrate on one active ingredient.
Also, you must be careful because not all herbal medicines are licensed and registered with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). Herbal products do not belong to the category of drugs, but rather supplements, so the standardization and regulations applied for the licensing process by BPOM are different from medical drugs. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before using herbal products.
The use of herbal products may cause allergic reactions in some people. Herbal products may also be able to interact with medical drugs, causing side effects. So, when using herbal products, make sure you pay attention to the dosage information, rules of use, and side effects and contraindications listed on the packaging. If necessary, consult the product's customer service or even with your doctor.
The use of herbal products must also be considered before the operation. Some herbal ingredients may cause bleeding during anesthesia or anesthesia. Stop using herbal products at least two weeks before the scheduled surgery.
Read: Utilizing Omega Fatty Acids as Complementary Nutrition
Also, for children, the elderly, pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, as well as those who are taking certain medications (blood thinners such as aspirin, and blood pressure enhancing or reducing drugs), it is advisable to ensure the use of herbal medicines to the doctor first.
Tips for Choosing Herbal Products
Here are some tips on choosing the right herbal products:
Read the herbal medicine instructions and the dosage listed on the packaging label. Certain conditions are not allowed to use herbal products.
Pay attention to the risk of side effects on the packaging label. Reduce the dose or stop using if there are several symptoms of side effects.
Gather information from trusted sources. You can make sure the herbal products are listed on the BPOM website or check the contents therein.
Consult a doctor or pharmacist who can provide clear herbal product instructions, both benefits, and risks.
Don't immediately believe "natural" packaging labels, which means safe and good for health. Remember that the process of herbal products is not the same as medicine. Research the contents of herbal products and consult with a doctor before taking them, especially if you have special health conditions.
