Utilizing herbal medicine is not foreign to the people of Indonesia. This drug is considered more natural, so it is widely chosen. It is proven that about 45% of the 7699 respondents who use the Alodokter application choose to use herbal medicines, though noall of them are officially registered with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BPOM RI). The rest, which is about 55%, choose modern medicine as a treatment step.
Traditional medicine is natural ingredients or ingredients from plants, which are believed to be able to treat certain diseases, and have been used for generations, such as herbal medicine. Meanwhile, modern medicine is a drug that has proven its benefits and side effects pharmacologically and clinically. Both modern medicine and herbal medicines sold in the market must have been officially registered with BPOM RI. There are thousands of types of herbal plants that can be consumed, including noni fruit.
Herbal Medicines Are Considered Free of Side Effects
In Indonesia, some people believe in using herbal medicines, because they are considered natural, so they are free from unwanted side effects. In fact, although medicinal plants have long been used and are believed to be safe, it does not mean that herbal medicines do not have the potential to cause side effects and poisoning. On the other hand, it can actually be more dangerous than modern medicine.
This is because not all herbal medicines have sufficient clinical trial evidence through research. Most herbal remedies are traditional. This means that the benefits and dosages given can only be based on estimates and knowledge passed down from ancestors, without paying attention to contraindications, side effects, and the maximum dose of administration.
It should be noted that herbal remedies cannot be used for everyone. For example, women who are pregnant, should not use drugs carelessly, including herbal medicines, in order to avoid harm to the fetus. Then some people may also experience allergic reactions to herbal medicinal ingredients, so they cannot use them.
Apart from being used directly from nature, boiled, or in the form of herbs, herbal medicines can be in the form of teas, capsules, tablets, ointments, liniments or essential oils. Generally, herbal ingredients are dried, ground or powdered before being processed into medicine.
Some tips before using herbal remedies safely include:
- Make sure you buy and use herbal medicines that have been registered with BPOM RI.
- Read and understand, what is the content in the herbal medicine.
- Don't forget to always check the expiration date before using it.
- Follow all recommended instructions.
- You can contact customer service for product details.
- If in doubt, you can consult a doctor regarding product safety.
Another reason people prefer to use herbal medicines is because generally these types of medicines are cheaper and more affordable than modern medicines. In fact, nowadays modern drugs are also available in the form of generic drugs, which are relatively cheaper and easy to obtain.
Compared to modern medicine, herbal medicines generally have a slower reaction in the treatment process. This type of drug is commonly used for alternative therapy, as well as as a complementary therapy to modern medicines.
Miscellaneous Modern Medicine
For modern medicine, there is clearer information on how to use it and its effectiveness in treating complaints or curing diseases. This is because this type of drug has gone through a series of research and development before being allowed to be sold freely in the market and consumed widely. This drug can give a faster reaction, because it is clearer the use and how it works in overcoming a complaint or condition. Drug formulations can also provide guidance on indications and contraindications for the use of each type of drug more specifically, in terms of benefits and how to use them.
Even though it has been clinically tested and officially registered with BPOM RI, there are several things you should pay attention to before choosing modern medicine, including:
- Brand name and generic. Because one type of drug can have different brands.
- How to store drugs correctly, because each drug has a different storage method.
- When, how, and for how long to use it. Always pay attention to the recommended dosage listed on the label, or ask your doctor or pharmacist before using it.
- Make sure whether the drug needs to be spent or not.
- What side effects can this drug cause?
- How and under what conditions you should stop using it.
- What to do if you miss the recommended dose.
- What drugs should not be used with these drugs.
Make sure you really understand these things, before using modern medicine as recommended by a doctor.
Basically, you need to be careful about taking your medicine and follow the guidelines for taking the right medicine, be it herbal medicine or modern medicine. Use the drug according to the package label or doctor's advice. In addition, you need to remember that the risk of developing allergies remains, to herbal medicines or modern medicines. Therefore, it is not recommended to treat the disease yourself, without consulting a doctor first. If you experience symptoms of an illness, do not hesitate to immediately consult a doctor.
