Herbal medication is any remedy from plants used in the prevention and treatment of illness.
A principal physician assistant Madam Diana Hassan at Tema Polyclinic Herbal Unit has advised the general public to report any signs and symptoms to their doctor after taking herbal medicine.
Speaking on Plan B FM’s family, lifestyle and relationship show NYANSAPO FIE on the “Rational Use of Herbal Medicine” hosted by Nana Asabea Asare, the Principal Physician assistant stressed that there is an upsurge in the proliferation of herbal products on the markets but there is the need to always consider the active ingredients and the dosage to keep the body healthy all the time.
She said they may come in different formulations.
Common examples are powders, liquids, tea bags, capsules, stem bark, root/root barks, bitters (steeped in alcohol), and tinctures.
They may be produced locally or imported from other countries.
Any approved herbal product purchased from a pharmacy, licensed chemical shop, an herbal shop, etc should have the following; a label with a date of production, date of expiry, batch number, FDA registration number, ingredients, and excipients, the recommended dosage for adults and children, indication (the condition or ailment for which the product is to be used for) and contraindications (conditions or circumstances or category of people who are not advised to take the product eg. pregnant and lactating mothers, children below 12 years, patients with severe morbid conditions, etc)
She advised that, if herbal medicines are abused it affects some organs in the body, and it is very important to know the potent of the herbal medicines dosage before taking them.
She then advises the general public to request her medicine from the hospital if necessary after they have gone through all the processes at the OPD and may be directed to the appropriate unit for herbal medicine.
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