5 health dangers of drinking herbal concoctions to cure diseases

Herbal concoctions remain a common practice in many Nigerian communities. Leaves, roots, bark, seeds and other plant materials are prepared in different ways and consumed to treat various illnesses.

For some people, taking a herbal mixture is the first thing they do when they feel sick. A neighbour may recommend a particular preparation, an older relative may prepare one at home, or a traditional practitioner may prescribe a mixture for a particular illness.

The belief that herbal preparations are safer because they come from plants is also widespread. However, plants contain active substances that can affect the human body.

A preparation can therefore cause harm when the wrong plant is used, when too much is taken, when it is poorly prepared or when it contains harmful contaminants.

The risks can be even greater when a person uses an unknown concoction to treat a serious illness without knowing exactly what is in it. In view of this, Tribune Online therefore highlights five health dangers associated with drinking herbal concoctions to cure diseases.

The liver is one of the body’s major organs for processing substances that enter the bloodstream. Some substances found in plants can place stress on the liver, particularly when they are consumed in large quantities or for prolonged periods.

A herbal concoction may contain several plants, and the person drinking it may not know the exact amount of each ingredient. Some preparations may also contain parts of plants that are not suitable for consumption.Repeated exposure to harmful substances can result in liver injury. In severe cases, liver damage can interfere with the organ’s ability to perform its normal functions.

One challenge is that liver damage may not always be obvious at the beginning. A person can continue drinking a concoction while an injury is developing. Possible warning signs can include unusual tiredness, nausea, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, dark urine and yellowing of the eyes or skin.

The kidneys help to filter waste products from the blood and remove them through urine. They also help to maintain the body’s balance of fluids and certain minerals.

Some substances can place excessive strain on the kidneys or cause kidney injury. The risk may increase when a person consumes a concentrated herbal preparation or takes large quantities over a long period. Another concern is contamination.

Plants can become contaminated by chemicals, microorganisms, heavy metals or other harmful substances during cultivation, harvesting, processing or storage.When such substances enter the body, the kidneys may be exposed to them as they perform their normal filtering functions. A person may not immediately realise that their kidneys are being affected.

Changes such as swelling of the feet or face, unusual tiredness, changes in urination, persistent nausea or a significant reduction in urine output should not be ignored, particularly after consuming an unknown preparation.The kidneys are essential to maintaining the body’s internal balance, so anything that may interfere with their function should be taken seriously.

One of the major dangers of an unknown herbal concoction is that the person taking it may not know exactly what they are consuming. A preparation can contain several plant materials with different chemical substances. If the wrong plant is used or an unsafe quantity is included, the resulting mixture can become harmful.

Some plants naturally contain compounds that can be toxic when consumed in sufficient amounts.The method of preparation can also matter. Boiling, soaking, grinding or fermenting plant materials can affect the substances present in the final preparation. Without proper knowledge and control, it can be difficult to determine the resulting concentration.

Poisoning may produce symptoms such as severe vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, confusion, weakness, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness. In serious cases, toxic exposure can affect major organs and may become life-threatening.

Children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are smaller and may respond differently to substances than adults.

This is why a herbal mixture should never be assumed to be harmless simply because it is made from plants.

Another danger is that a herbal concoction can make an existing health problem worse.

A person may already have a condition affecting the heart, liver, kidneys, stomach or another part of the body without knowing it. Taking a preparation containing substances that affect these organs may place additional stress on the body.

For example, a person with an existing liver problem may not know that their liver is already struggling to process substances effectively. Consuming an unknown preparation could potentially worsen the situation. The same concern applies to people with kidney problems or other chronic conditions.

Some herbal preparations may also have effects on blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate or other body processes. If the preparation is taken without knowing what it contains, these effects may be difficult to predict.The problem is not limited to people who have been diagnosed with a disease. Some conditions can exist without obvious symptoms for a long time.

A person may therefore believe they are healthy while an underlying problem is present.

Taking an unknown concoction in such circumstances can introduce substances into the body without a clear understanding of how the body will respond.

The danger of a herbal concoction does not always come from the plant itself. Contamination can occur at different stages before the preparation reaches the person who consumes it. Plants can pick up contaminants from soil, water or the environment.

Poor handling, dirty equipment and improper storage can also introduce microorganisms and other unwanted substances.

Some products may also be adulterated, meaning that substances not declared to the consumer have been added. This becomes particularly concerning when the person believes they are drinking a simple mixture of leaves or roots when the actual contents are unknown.

Poor storage can create another problem. A preparation kept in unsuitable conditions may become contaminated or spoiled, particularly when it contains water and is stored for an extended period.

Unlike properly manufactured medicines, many homemade concoctions do not have standardised production conditions that allow consumers to know that every batch contains the same ingredients and quality.

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