Herbal medicine or herbal supplements are not foreign to the people of Indonesia. These drugs are easy to find everywhere, can be made yourself, and may have been consumed from generation to generation since hundreds of years ago. If you want to take herbal supplements, research before buying.
There are various types of herbal supplements in Indonesia, ranging from ingredients that must be squeezed, brewed, or boiled and the water is drunk, plant extracts, pills, capsules, tablets, powders, to herbal supplements in liquid form, for example Tahitian noni juice. In addition, certain plants, such as sappanwood or cordyceps, is also often consumed as a supplement or herbal tea.
Various choices of drugs or herbal supplements are believed to be able to maintain or improve health, and even treat many diseases. Certain herbal ingredients are also claimed to help the process of removing toxins or detoxifying the body.
Now, many people are combining these herbal supplements with modern medical treatment to cure their illness. The reason is because herbal medicines or supplements are made from natural ingredients, not chemical mixtures.
However, even though they are natural, herbal medicines or supplements are not necessarily suitable for everyone and have the potential to cause other problems, for example:
- All herbal ingredients can have side effects. Anything strong enough to produce a positive effect, such as lowering cholesterol or high blood pressure, is also strong enough to carry unwanted risks.
- Drugs and herbal supplements have an interaction effect with certain medications that have the potential to reduce the effects of drugs, increase the risk of side effects, and interfere with drug metabolism in the body.
- Not all herbal medicines are registered and certified.
- The evidence for the medical effectiveness of herbal medicines (scientific research/clinical trials) is generally very limited.
Herbal supplements are generally categorized as a type of traditional dietary supplement. Therefore, studies on effectiveness, dosage, and side effects are also subject to different regulations from studies on drugs in general. Therefore, before buying drugs or herbal supplements, it is advisable to do the following things:
- Consult a doctor before buying or taking herbal remedies.
- Check whether the product is registered with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (Badan POM) of the Republic of Indonesia. You can check by visiting this site.
- Research companies that make herbal products
- Research whether the product is making outlandish claims or is difficult to substantiate.
- Check if the product has gone through the clinical trials prescribed by the government. Also check whether the research was done properly.
- Check whether the product label contains information about the drug's raw materials, side effects, standard formulas, instructions for use, and warnings for use. Also check whether the information on the label is clear and easy to read.
- Check whether there is a registered phone number, address, or website so that you as a consumer can find out more information about the product.
- Learn as much as you can about the herbs you take by consulting your doctor and contacting herbal supplement manufacturers for information.
- If you are taking herbal supplements, follow label directions carefully and use them at 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 a doctor first if there are several conditions such as:
- Taking other drugs. Although this supplement is believed to be safer because it is herbal and natural, the active ingredients of herbal supplements may be active chemical compounds. These ingredients can interact with other drugs and affect the performance and metabolism of drugs in the body.
- Have a serious health condition, such as liver or kidney disease.
- Had to have surgery.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Elderly parents.
- Children.
- History of allergies to herbal products.
The decision to choose herbal products needs to be adjusted to several factors such as: clinical effects that are proven to be efficacious and supported by evidence from standardized research, side effects and risks of using herbal products, and price suitability. So, before you take any medicine or herbal supplement, it is highly recommended to consult with your doctor first.
