Traditional Medicine Is Not Safe

The high cost of modern medicine and the belief that herbal medicines are safer because they are made from natural ingredients, a person driving interest in traditional medicine. In fact, it is not always true.
Though made from natural ingredients, herbal medicine actually has potential side effects with synthetic drugs. According Prof.Maksum Radji, in the herbal medicine derived from plant parts such as roots, leaves, bark, also contained chemical compounds.
The content of compounds contained in herbal medicines, besides efficacious also likely to cause side effects that may be detrimental.
Herbs also can not be taken arbitrary because individual responses can be different from each other. Although a common complaint, not necessarily a given herbal match between one patient and another patient.
An herbal product is considered safe only when it is scientifically proven safety through a series of security tests, including tests of acute toxicity, sub-acute toxicity tests, chronic toxicity tests, and test teratogenic.
He added that some undesirable effects can also occur when the herbs are consumed together with modern medicine.
"Most of the side effects that can be caused by the use of herbal medicines that are not well controlled include kidney disorders, liver disorders, photosensitivity, allergy, and sleep disorders. Giving herbal medicines are also avoided in infants, toddlers and the elderly organ function has decreased, "he said.
Some of the herbal remedies that had "booming" some time ago, like red fruit, crown of the gods, or soursop leaves, according Maksum, has actually been studied but only reached the stage of biomedical research.
In Phaleria (Phaleria macrocarpa), have been studied the scientific content is efficacious as anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and its effect on cancer cells. While the soursop leaves are known to have the effect of antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer drugs.
However, most studies are conducted on experiments in vitro or in vivo in animals. The results of a biomedical experiment is often used as the basis of that herbs can cure various diseases.
"Though to be used in medicine, still required a series of phases of clinical trials to ensure a level of safety, dosage, method of use, efficacy, monitor side effects and interactions with other drug compounds," he said.
According Maksum, herbal medicines are usually just results in the long term, therefore the drug should only be used to maintain the health or recovery of the disease, while the needed cure for prescription drugs.