Pay attention to things

Indonesia is arguably a paradise for plants that have medicinal properties and human health. Apart from medical capabilities and modern technology, the consumption of herbal and traditional medicines is still in great demand.

The reason many people choose to consume herbal medicine is because the price is more affordable, easy to obtain, and is in line with recipes from generation to generation. However, you should pay attention to the safety in consuming herbal medicine or traditional medicine.

Safety, dosage, and things that need to be considered before consuming herbal medicine or traditional medicine

There are two types of herbal medicine or traditional medicine, there are industrial herbal medicine or traditional medicine and fresh herbal medicine.

In consuming fresh herbal medicine, there are many tips that need to be considered in order to get maximum benefits and avoid unwanted side effects, especially hygiene in the manufacturing process.

1. Hygiene in the manufacturing process

The first thing that needs to be considered in consuming fresh herbal medicine is that it must be made without chemicals, without preservatives, and hygienic or guaranteed cleanliness.

In fresh herbal medicine, of course it will be difficult to ascertain these things unless you mix it yourself. Therefore, buy fresh herbs from people you can trust.

1. Catched up straight away

Fresh herbs must be drunk immediately within 24 hours. If you can't finish it, fresh herbs can be stored in the refrigerator (refrigerator) for a maximum of 3 days.

1. Better to eat before eating

Fresh herbs are better consumed before eating because the majority of them have the property of smoothing the digestive process. But if you already have digestive problems before, such as stomach ulcers, then you can consume fresh herbs after eating.

1. Do not exceed the dose

The consumption of fresh herbs must be in accordance with the needs, the limit that must be remembered is a maximum of 4 glasses of herbal medicine a day.

1. Get enough food and water

Fresh herbal medicine does have many properties in increasing stamina, but it cannot replace food and water intake. Meet the needs of at least 2 liters of water a day and a balanced nutritional intake.

Drinking herbs without adequate water intake can increase the risk of health problems such as impaired kidney function. Likewise with food intake, consumption of herbal medicine without a fully balanced nutritious diet can risk causing digestive disorders.

Jamu or traditional industrial medicine

Traditional industrial medicine is divided into three categories, namely herbal medicine, standardized herbal medicine, and phyto-pharmacy. The selection of this category is carried out by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) based on the extent to which testing of the product's safety has been carried out.

Jamu that has standardized herbal medicine labels means that it has passed preclinical or animal testing. Meanwhile, herbal medicine that has received the phytopharmaca label means that the herbal medicine has passed clinical trials or testing in humans.

Information on the labeling of this category is listed on the packaging and is important to ensure the safety of herbal or traditional medicines before consuming them. In the packaging of industrial herbal medicine products, some information needs to be considered. BPOM calls it the term KLIK check (Packaging, Label, Distribution Permit, and Expiration). What is KLIK?

• Packaging: must be in good condition, sealed, and undamaged.
• Label: read the product information on the label, including composition, properties, and warning labels. For example, whether the product should not be consumed for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or other groups.
• Marketing authorization: make sure you have a distribution permit BPOM RI TR / BPOM RI TL
• Expiration: check the expiration date. If the packaging for herbal medicine or traditional industrial medicine that you buy does not have an expiration date, you should not consume it.

Apart from the four things above, the safety of industrial herbal medicine or traditional medicines also depends on the way of consuming them. Do not consume industrial-produced herbal medicine more than the dosage stated on the packaging. If you change the dosage yourself more than the recommended dose, you run the risk of triggering unwanted side effects.

Both fresh herbs and industrial products should not be consumed together with other drugs. If you want to eat it on the same day, give it a break of 2 hours.

For those who have comorbidities, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, they must first consult their doctor if they want to consume traditional medicine or herbal medicine.

This is done to prevent unwanted effects. A simple example of why it is necessary to consult a doctor, for example in hypertensive patients, the doctor will provide blood pressure-lowering drugs. Then the patient also consumes herbs which have the property of lowering high blood pressure, so blood pressure can drop dramatically.

Therefore, to get the expected properties, always pay attention to the tips above in consuming it.