New York, February 10 -- Contrary to popular opinion that herbal medicine is natural or safe, it can be potentially hazardous for health if taken in larger amounts, injected or combined with prescription drugs, warns a leading medical expert.
Forensic pathologist Roger Byard, a pathology professor at the University of Adelaide (U-A), reviewed the risks attached to herbal medicines. His findings have been posted in last month's edition of the Journal of Forensic Sciences.
His research has been sparked by the death of a young South Australian man in 2006 who had injected chan su, a traditional Chinese herbal remedy that contains toxic compound, toad venom.
Herbal medicines and potential dangers
