Herbal medicine or herbal supplements are not foreign to Indonesian people. These drugs are easily found everywhere, can be made by yourself, and may have been consumed for generations for hundreds of years ago. If you want to take herbal supplements, be careful before buying.
Herbal supplements in Indonesia are of various types, ranging from herbs that must be squeezed, brewed, or boiled and drunk water, plant extracts, pills, capsules, tablets, powders, to herbal supplements in liquid form. Various choices of medicines or herbal supplements are believed to be able to maintain or improve health, and even treat many diseases. Now, many people are combining these herbal supplements with modern medical treatments to cure their illnesses. The reason is because herbal medicines or supplements are made from natural ingredients, not chemical mixtures.
But even though it's natural, medicine or herbal supplements may not be suitable for everyone and potentially cause other problems, for example:
- All herbal ingredients can have side effects. Anything that is strong enough to produce positive effects, such as lowering cholesterol or high blood pressure, is also strong enough to carry unwanted risks.
- Medicines and herbal supplements have the effect of interacting with certain medications that have the potential to reduce the effects of drug action, strengthen the risk of side effects, to disrupt the metabolism of drugs in the body.
- Not all herbal medicines are registered and certified.
- Evidence of the effectiveness of medicinal herbs medically (scientific research / clinical trials) is generally very limited.
Herbal supplements are generally categorized as a type of traditional food supplement. Therefore, studies of effectiveness, dosage, and side effects also go through different regulations with studies on drugs in general. Therefore, before buying drugs or herbal supplements it is recommended to do the following things:
- Consult with your doctor before buying or taking herbal medicines.
- Check whether the product has been registered with the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration (Badan POM). You can check by opening this site.
- Research companies that make herbal products
- Check whether the product makes strange or difficult claims to prove.
- Check whether the product has gone through clinical trials determined by the government. Also examine whether the research is done correctly.
- Check whether the product label contains information about the raw material of the drug, its side effects, standard formulas, instructions for consumption, and warnings of use. Also check that the information on the label is clear and easy to read.
- Check whether there is a telephone number, address, or site listed so that you as a consumer can find out more information about the product.
- Learn as much as possible about the herbal concoctions consumed by consulting a doctor and contacting herbal supplement manufacturers for information.
- If you use herbal supplements, follow the label instructions carefully and use the recommended dosage.
- Watch for side effects and see a doctor if an allergic reaction occurs.
Finally, keep in mind the use of herbal products should be consulted with your doctor first if there are several conditions such as:
- Take other drugs. Although this supplement is believed to be safer because it is made from herbal and natural ingredients, the active ingredient of herbal supplements may be an active chemical compound. This content can interact with other drugs and affect the performance and metabolism of drugs in the body.
- Have serious health conditions, such as liver or kidney disease.
- Must undergo surgery.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Elderly parents.
- Children.
- History of allergies with herbal products.
The decision to choose herbal products needs to be adjusted according to several factors such as: clinical effects that are proven to be efficacious and supported by evidence from studies that are in accordance with the standards, side effects and risks of using herbal products, and price compatibility. So, before you take any medicine or herbal supplement, it is advisable to consult with your doctor first.
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