Herbal medicine, criteria must be Safe

The use of herbal medicines as a supplement or alternative medicine is increasingly popular lately. The drug is often considered to be without side effects, whereas herbal remedies are not always safe, even some producers to mix additional chemicals on a natural product that claimed it.

According to Prof. Sumali Wiryowidagdo, many herbal remedies used for generations that have not been proven with certainty because there is no research. "It is generally included in this group are herbs. Khasiatnya trust based on experience (empirical) alone," he said in an Herbal Extraction Technology Current events held PT Deltomed Laboratories in Jakarta, Thursday (06/16/2011).

Meanwhile, standardized herbal medicines are herbal ingredients that have been scientifically tested its effect on animals, either safety or toxicity. Categories on it is that has a claim phytopharmaca efficacious based on clinical trials as applied to humans and has been carried out standardization of raw materials used and meets the applicable quality requirements.

"Phytopharmaca equal status with modern medicine," added the herbal expert from the Center for Natural Products Drug Studies Department of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia.

To choose an herbal remedy, whether herbs or supplements on the market, Sumali advised to choose products that are listed in the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). "At least choose a product which has the registration number BPOM, including for imported drugs," he said.

In addition, patients should consult with your doctor before taking herbal medicines, especially if you are taking any medications to avoid chemical reactions that endanger health.

Extraction

Prof. Leonardus BS Kardoyo, expert extraction of natural materials from Indonesia Institute of Sciences, said the herbal medicine industry has cultivated a sophisticated extraction systems and standardized.

"Extraction performed to remove impurities from a substance with the purpose of purification of the compounds. So the result will be maximum for the body," he said.

Meanwhile, the extraction process is done traditionally in general are less measurable dose. It is therefore advisable to cultivate herbal ingredients based on empirical experience to avoid toxicity.

"If you want to boil the herbs, dosage should be adjusted to the experience of drinking it already. If you try to do can be dangerous," he said when met at the same event.