“It’s herbal, so it should be safe… right?”
This is something I hear quite often.
Many people feel more comfortable taking TCM herbs or natural remedies because they think:
“It’s natural, so there shouldn’t be much harm.”
But natural doesn’t automatically mean safe.
Our liver is one of the body’s major processing and detoxification organs. What we consume — including medications, herbal preparations and supplements — may need to be processed by the body.
And certain herbs have been linked to herb-induced liver injury, especially when taken inappropriately, in high doses, for long periods, or together with other products or medications.
📊 The evidence is worth knowing:
In the U.S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network, the proportion of liver-injury cases linked to herbal and dietary supplements increased from 7% to around 20% during the study period.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PM
One well-known example is 何首乌 He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum). A systematic review documented 450 reported cases of liver injury associated with He Shou Wu products; among them, 7 people died and 2 required liver transplantation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4306360/
Singapore’s HSA also cautions that supposedly “herbal” or “natural” products can sometimes contain undeclared medicines, contaminants or excessive heavy metals, which may cause serious harm.
https://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/traditional-herbal-remedies/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
This does not mean all TCM herbs are harmful. But it worth to reminds us that:
🌿 Natural ≠ automatically safe
🌿 More ≠ better
🌿 Long-term use ≠ risk-free
🌿 Herbs can also interact with medications
🌿 Quality, dosage and suitability matter
Before taking TCM herbs continuously , especially if you are already taking medication or have liver or kidney concerns , seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Don’t choose something simply because the label says “natural.”
Understand what you are putting into your body first. ❤️
Health is not about taking more things.
It’s about making better-informed choices.
Before taking any medicinal herb or “natural remedy” regularly, take time to understand what you are taking, why you need it, the appropriate dosage, and whether it is suitable for long-term use.
Your liver works quietly for you every day. ❤️
Protect it by making informed choices — not choices based simply on the word “natural.”
👉 If you found this useful, share it with someone who believes “herbal = always safe.”
Awareness today can lead to better health choices tomorrow. 🌱
Warmest regards ,
Mei Hwa
Excellence Lifestyle Coach 🌱❤️
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