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Drinking herbal medicine has become an ingrained habit for the people of Indonesia.
However, dr. Peter Canter and Prof. Edzard Ernst from Peninsula Medical, quoted from The Telegraph, revealed that so far there is very limited clinical evidence that can prove the effectiveness of herbs and herbal medicines to cure diseases is very limited. And because the potential for side effects is suspected to outweigh the benefits, this lack of medical evidence means that the use of herbal remedies is not recommended.
Experts warn that drinking too much can cause stomach pain, with symptoms similar to that of an ulcer. If you continue your reckless habit of drinking herbs, this can lead to stomach bleeding, a condition known as NSAIDs. induced gastritis. NSAIDs -induced gastritis is damage to the mucosal lining of the stomach due to consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Why often drinking herbs can make you upset your stomach?
Most of the herbs on the market are known to have been mixed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce body aches. NSAIDs are what make our bodies feel better after drinking herbal medicine. NSAIDs themselves are often prescribed as drugs for arthritis, inflammation, and heart disease.
In the lining of the stomach wall there are prostaglandins, substances that protect the function and integrity of these layers. NSAIDs work to suppress prostaglandin production. Whereas in the stomach, prostaglandins have a function to inhibit stomach acid production and maintain the repair function of the damaged stomach lining. Thus, the consumption of NSAIDs will indirectly increase the production of stomach acid. Excess stomach acid will damage the protective lining of the stomach, making the stomach more susceptible to infection Helicobacter pylori .
If the habit of consuming NSAIDs is not stopped, it can have a negative impact on the stomach. The most frequent complication is gastric bleeding. And this most often occurs in the age group over 60 years. This gastric bleeding will only be realized by the patient when vomiting with coffee-brown stomach contents or soft black stool, similar to asphalt. Another complication that often arises from drinking too much herbal medicine is the formation of a hole (perforation) in the stomach.
Sometimes, certain herbal products do not write in full the contents in the herbal medicine. In fact, a laboratory examination is needed to find the NSAID content in these herbs. For example, in 2002 when a herbal product was found to contain phenylbutazone, a potent NSAID.
Be wise in consuming herbal medicine
NSAIDs have quite dangerous long-term side effects. Even at low doses, NSAIDs can cause gastritis. Because you cannot know the content of the herbs you are drinking, it is better if you limit your drinking and not make it a habit to prevent gastritis caused by NSAIDs.
In addition, even though they are made from natural ingredients, all herbal spices also contain chemical compounds that have the potential to pose a risk of adverse side effects. For example, herbal medicine for cassava leaves. Cassava leaves are claimed to be plants that are rich in natural cancer-fighting antioxidants, but on the other hand, cassava leaves contain large amounts of cyanide which can be potentially deadly if not processed properly.
