KOMPAS.

com - Herbal medicine has evolved into not just traditional medicine , but also drugs
prescribed by doctors . Today was not a few people who use herbal medicine as a complementary
treatment .
Based on data from the Health Research Ministry of Health 2010, 59.12 percent of the
Indonesian population consume herbal remedies . People consider herbal remedies are safer than
conventional medicine .
However , herbal medicine does not mean 100 percent safe . Furthermore , if taken together with
other drugs , herbal remedies can cause dangerous drug interactions . Therefore drink herbal
remedies also need to know the types of drug interactions .
Herbal medicine expert physicians Arijanto Jonosewojo said , sometimes in order to increase the
effectiveness of drug consumers drink at once conventional and complementary medicine .
Though the move would be counterproductive because of adverse drug interactions .
" For example , statin drugs to lower cholesterol should not be taken together with herbal
remedies that should work equally , " he said in a press conference Symposium on Global Health
SOHO Natural Wellness in Jakarta , Saturday ( 04/05/2014 ) then .
Conversely, if taken in a different time , he added , the two would be mutually beneficial .
Therefore , we recommend statin drugs taken at night , and herbal medicine in the morning .
In addition , there are many other drug interactions . Exemplified by Arijanto , herbal medicine
raw materials for stamina ginseng should not be taken together with drugs for heart disease . This
is because both can trigger arrhythmias or heart rhythm irregularity .
The interaction also applies to the form of herbs or herbal blends . For example, garlic should not
be consumed until two weeks before undergoing tooth extraction . Because garlic has
penyukaran effect blood clotting , which can lead to bleeding after tooth extraction .
There is also a star fruit juice should not be taken together with the consumption of drugs
kidneys . The reason , the interaction of the two can lead to substances that are toxic to the body .
Because many drug interactions , Arijanto asserted , clinicians conduct interviews prior history
of the disease in patients before prescribing herbal medicine . " It is important to prescribe an
individual basis , due to the use of herbal medicine can be different effect on each person , " said
Chief Hospital Clinic Complementary Alternative Soetomo this

Jakarta, HanTer - The concept of returning to nature (back to nature) that echoed
the World Health Organization (WHO) because of the negative impact of the use of
synthetic drugs in the long run, make the people of the world began to look at
herbal remedies and alternative medicine or traditional techniques to overcome
health problems .
In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health noted the public interest against herbal
medicine and alternative medicine is increasing. Health Research Data (Riskesdas)
2010 revealed that 59.12 percent of Indonesian people choose to consume herbal
medicine because it is considered safer than conventional medications or
chemicals.
As the high public interest, industrial herbs, herbal and alternative medicine
increasingly prevalent and growing in this country. However, the unfortunate actors
and rogue elements also see opportunities to gain money from this phenomenon by
setting up illegal alternative medicine and herbal drug producing up Abal Abal mix it
with Medicinal Chemicals (BKO), which can be harmful to health.
Advisor to the Minister of Health Technology and Globalization of Health, Prof.. DR.
Dr. Agus Purwadianto SH, MSi, SPF (K), expressed to maintain public confidence in
herbal medicine and traditional medicine, the government will issue new regulations
are more stringent licensing practices in traditional medicine.
"Right now we discuss and consider such rules, but more comprehensive. Because
look at its development, traditional medicine abuse is also coupled with the herbal
drug abuse as part of the treatment, "said Prof Agus to SOHO Publishing Daily
Global Health Natural Wellness Symposium, in Jakarta, Friday (11/4).
He admits, rampant illegal alternative treatments available today due to the
weakness in the understanding of local health authorities. "So far, the problems
occur in the context of licensing existing health services in the area, so we advocate
continues to be more cautious in providing licensing standards," he said.
Natural Is Not Safe
Meanwhile, Head of Alternative Complementary Polyclinic Hospital Dr. Atopic
Dermatitis, Surabaya, Dr. Arijanto Jonosewojo, SpPD FINASIM said, is assessing the
general public that herbal remedies are safer than the use of chemical drugs
because it has fewer side effects. And as with any chemical drug, herbal medicine
also can not be taken carelessly and must adhere to the dose given.
"Herbal remedies are not 100 percent safe. Therefore when eating them, exactly
one rule four alert (4T +1 W) must be complied with in order of quality, safety and
efficacy of herbal drugs to stay awake," he said.

He explained that the rule in question 4T +1 W is proper usage, proper usage,

proper herbal medicine, the right dose and route of administration, as well as be
aware of side effects of drugs. In addition, herbal medicines used also must be
through clinical trials to prove efficacy, not just testimonis of patients who survived,
or preclinical trials on animals.
"Using herbal medicine that does not mean abandon conventional medicine that
has previously been used, but rather complement each other," he added. (Ak)