Safety checks on alternative medicine

[Guest guest]

Another like the last ...

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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Safety checks on alternative medicine

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2064808.stm

 

" Herbal medicine can be very powerful "

 

The World Health Organization is to monitor the safety of traditional

and alternative medicines.

The move follows a number of deaths linked to their misuse.

 

This can be down to use of the wrong medicines, or to using medicines

in the wrong way.

 

WHO experts hope to establish a global monitoring system within four

years.

 

The such a system would gather and collate information on adverse

reactions to traditional drugs and herbal medicines.

 

Similar systems are already in place for conventional Western

medicines.

 

Traditional and alternative forms of medicine have grown increasingly

popular in the West in recent years, but in Asia, such remedies have

long been used by millions.

 

And in Hong Kong, the government has mapped out an ambitious plan to

develop its traditional Chinese medicine industry, aiming to build up

local producers of licensed drugs to rival the world's leading drug

makers.

 

But recent incidents have highlighted the need to ensure such

products are used safely, and more and more countries are developing

regulatory systems to govern their use.

 

Jonathan Quick, director of the WHO's Department of Essential Drugs

and Policy, said the number of problems associated with traditional

medicines was increasing.

 

Chinese herb

 

He said the use of the herb Ma Huang, or Ephedra, used by Chinese

medicine practitioners as a cure for short-term respiratory problems,

can be dangerous, possibly causing heart attacks if used for an

extended period.

 

A dozen people in the US died because of problems with the Ephedra

plant.

 

There have also been reports of 24 cases of liver failure and three

deaths associated with the herb kava kava.

 

And in Singapore a woman died and at least 14 others were sick

recently after taking a Chinese-made diet pill.

 

Dr Quick said: " We've been concerned about some of these recent

episodes.

 

" We would hope that over the four years of that strategy we get a

basic global framework or safety monitor set up. "

[Guest guest]

> A dozen people in the US died because of problems with the Ephedra

> plant.

>

 

i dont think its because of the " plant " -

it is because af a potent extract with several other stimulant/caffeine

herbs- also taken way over the dose- more is better right? HA!