Herbal medicines can be lethal, pathologist warns

[SidDithers]

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209183337.htm

A University of Adelaide forensic pathologist has sounded a worldwide warning of the potential lethal dangers of herbal medicines if taken in large quantities, injected, or combined with prescription drugs.

A paper by Professor Roger Byard published in the US-based Journal of Forensic Sciences outlines the highly toxic nature of many herbal substances, which a large percentage of users around the world mistakenly believe are safe.

"There's a false perception that herbal remedies are safer than manufactured medicines, when in fact many contain potentially lethal concentrations of arsenic, mercury and lead," Professor Byard says.

snip

An analysis of 251 Asian herbal products found in United States stores identified arsenic in 36 of them, mercury in 35 and lead in 24 of the products.

Sid

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Also add things like amphetamines -- very "natural", "herbal" indeed. *snark*

Evidently, anything that might make the brew more potent, in whatever vaguely defined way, is likely to be added. And if it makes the user tingle and sweat, hey, that just proves it's working !

Stay away from any "medicine" you don't know for sure was manufactured under adequate quality control.

[OhZone]

2. So can perscription drugs -

"may cause death."

[pennylane100]

3. I subscribe to Consumerlab a site that does independent testing.

They test usually mainstream supplement. They actually purchase the products they test from the store rather than rely on manufacture provided stuff. I have not heard any negative news about them but I like to think they are the real thing. However, without FDA approval, it is hard to be sure.