Senior Lecturer at the Bioscience Department of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Julius Dongsogo, has indicated that the rise in kidney and liver-related diseases among both young and aged across the country is as a result of complications from continuous misuse of herbal drugs.
According to him, incidents of herbal drug abuse emanating from self-medication, overdose, wrong diagnoses, and unapproved concoctions, among others, have been identified as the underlining factors for most in kidney and liver diseases in recent times.
He cautioned against unprescribed use of drugs, whether herbal or orthodox.
“People with a preference for herbal products must be conscious and also crosscheck the content of the drugs because some of them are adulterated. Also, buyers need to check for the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) label on the product to ensure they are purchasing the right,” he said.
Prof. mentioned that research conducted revealed that the majority of the practitioners have low knowledge of the drugs and that they inherited the practices from their ancestors who believed that by mixing different kinds of herbs, it can treat all illnesses.
The senior lecturer who disclosed this in an interview with the B&FT further noted that the treatment for liver and kidney diseases is very expensive, hence the need to exercise caution.
He, however, mentioned that herbal medicine are very effective if well-prepared and taken according to prescription.
“The use of herbs for treatment has been a part of the traditional medicine system for thousands of years. Herbs have been used to treat a variety of conditions, from minor ailments such as headaches and indigestion to more serious conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart disease, but the abuse by quake practitioners in recent times is a challenge we need to address as a society,” he stressed.
Importance of herbal treatment
According to him, herbs are natural and can be more suitable on than synthetic medications.
However, like any medication, he noted that herbs have side effects and that consumers need to be aware of the potential side effects, hence the need to seek professional advice before any herbal treatment.
He noted that the misuse of the herb can result in allergic reactions because many patients may be allergic to certain herbs, which can cause symptoms such as itching, hives and swelling.
“When using herbs for treatment, it is important to follow the recommended dosage and only use herbs that have been certified as safe and effective. It is also important to consult a healthcare provider before starting any herbal treatment, especially if you have a medical condition or taking prescriptive medications,” he advised.
Head of Forensic Science Department, Dr. Lydia Quansah, also stressed on the need for consumers to always check for the FDA approval for any herbal product that they used.
She further urged the FDA to be proactive to help clean all fake herbal products off the market to protect consumers.
