Warning against herbal medicine

Health authorities have cautioned the public not to use an unbranded medicine for diabetes being sold in the country as a natural product, the use of which without a doctor’s prescription, could pose health risks.
Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, Dr Mohammed Abuelkhair, Head of Drugs and Medical Product at the Health Authority, Abu Dhabi (HAAD), said the Authority had been informed by a UAE national that a diabetes medication claimed to be made of natural herbal mixture was being sold at a shop.

“The man brought the mixture on December 6 to the Authority because he doubted the ingredients. Laboratory analysis showed that the mixture contained ingredients of such diabetes drugs as Metformin and Glibenclamide,” said Dr Abuelkhair.
Metformin is the most popular anti-diabetes drug and Glibenclamide is a medication which is used by patients with maturity onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes. Both medicines are sold at pharmacies as prescription drugs for diabetes.
“The man said he bought the mixture from a honey shop in Dubai and the seller claimed it was natural and made of a combination of herbs,” he said.
Dr Abuelkhair said HAAD will inform the Dubai Municipality authorities to investigate the matter and adopt immediate measures to protect public health. “People in Dubai and other emirates are warned not to buy any herbal products claimed to be 100 per cent natural and a cure for diabetes,” he warned.
Dr Abuelkhair also said HAAD had recently seized a harmful slimming capsule widely sold at malls and nutrition shops in the country.
“We have banned a slimming capsule known as ‘Zein Atat’ sold at malls and nutrition shops across the emirates. The capsule is promoted as herbal while it contains harmful chemical substances that might cause multiple health complications,” said Dr Abuelkhair. Source

Testing herbal drugs for our health

There was a herbal medicine in the market recently that manufacturers claimed was a sure cure for diabetes," said Dr Mazen Ali Naji, General Manager of the Zayed Complex for Herbal Research and Traditional Medicine.
"It quickly became a best-seller and then a government department sent us a sample to test," he said.
The tests showed that the "herbal medicine" contained toxic chemicals which would have adversely affected the liver of patients and the product was banned, he said.
The Zayed Complex for Herbal Research and Traditional Medicine recently sent out a warning when a man died after drinking a concoction made from the leaves of a plant. It has compiled a list of poisonous plants in the UAE and other countries.
Natural resources

The complex was established in 1996 on the orders of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who felt there was a need for an institution that can utilise the country's natural resources and gather knowledge about traditional systems of medicine.
Shaikh Zayed's dream project recently achieved international recognition. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the complex as its collaborative centre for traditional medicine in May this year. "We have been providing information for WHO booklets for the past six years," said Dr Naji.
The complex has published more than 130 articles and abstracts in reputed conference papers, he said.
Dr Naji said research into new medicines for chronic diseases is the most important activity at the complex. "We recently completed tests on new medicines for diabetes, hypertension, kidney stones and gastric ulcers," he said.
But he said the lack of volunteers for clinical trials is a major hurdle in transforming the successful research into medicinal products, says the director. "We depend on animals [such as rats] for the clinical trials," he said.
But recently, its collaboration with WHO has opened the door for cooperation with its centre in Italy for clinical trials on humans.
The Department of Ethnobotany at the Zayed Complex has compiled information after interviewing local healers and herbalists and after detailed studies of 200 plants that have been found in the country.
The information can be found in its Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants of the UAE, Volume 1.
It has developed a herbarium to preserve identified plant specimens for future reference work.
About 4,000 plant specimens have been collected from all emirates, which have been identified, preserved and documented in a database.
The director said the development of a database of all medicinal plants in the UAE, a herbal encyclopaedia, a botanical garden of indigenous medicinal plants and the development of bio-pesticides are in the future plans of the complex.
Over 100,000 patients have visited its traditional medicine clinics. The clinics also treat patients suffering from hypertension, acidity, cough and bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome and kidney stones.
"Besides contributions to research, we train students of the UAE University and Higher Colleges of Technology every year," said Dr Naji.
The public can call 02-5824000 from 8am to 4pm daily for information regarding a particular item.
Helpline: 02-5824000

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Cumin

Cumin (Link) is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum , a member of the parsley family. The Cumin plant grows to about one to two feet tall and is harvested by hand. Cumin is the key component of both Chilly Powder and Curry Powder. Cumin seeds are used as a spice for their distinctive aroma, popular in North American, Middle Eastern, Western Chinese, Indian and Mexican cuisine.
Cumin fruits have distinctive bitter flavor and strong, warm aroma due to their abundant essential oil content. In herbal medicine, cumin is classified as stimulant, carminative, and antimicrobial.
Cumin can be used to season many dishes, as it draws out their natural sweetness. It is traditionally added to curries, enchiladas, tacos, and other Middle-eastern, Indian, Cuban and Mexican- style food. It can also be added to salsa to give it extra flavor. Cumin has also been used on meat in addition to other common seasonings. The spice is a familiar taste in Tex-Mex dishes and is the lingua franca of the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent.
Historically, Iran has been the principal supplier of Cumin, but currently the major sources are India, Syria, Pakistan and Turkey.
Superstition during the Middle Ages cited that Cumin kept chickens and lovers from wandering. It was also believed that a happy life awaited the bride and groom who carried Cumin Seed trough the wedding ceremony.

Peppermint

Two of my favorite treats are hot mug of peppermint tea and a cold dish of peppermint ice cream. I must also say that candy canes receive an honorable mention.
Peppermint has long been grandma's answer to belly aches and you know what? She was right on target. Peppermint calms the belly and stimulates digestion. It is often taken by folks with Irritable Bowel Syndrome to lessen the syndrome's irritating symptoms like bloating, gas and diarrhea.
More than just a tonic for your tummy, peppermint is also an expectorant and a decongestant. It may offer some relief for mild asthma attacks, lessening bronchial constriction and making it easier to breathe. Peppermint promotes sweating, which could possibly help regulate body temperature during a fever, which is good news during cold and flu season. Medicinally, peppermint is available in many forms: tea, tinctures, capsules, creams, ointments, or essential oil. It is generally considered safe when used properly.