Is 'Agbo' safe for infants?
A month ago, I visited Nma, a two year old friend in a paediatric clinic, she was already recovering from a gastrointestinal infection. In a crib next to hers laid a little boy of two weeks old whom has been having fever, seizures and other complications since admitted. He looked lifeless, weak, emaciated and pale, and I wondered what actually caused his ailment or what was wrong with him.
Out of curiosity I asked Nma’s mother who has been telling me about her convalescing child who’s no longer on parenteral support. I was told that the baby boy was given Agbo, a native herbal concoction by his mother to cure his dysentery and fever.
I was shocked! How can a mother give Agbo to a child whose body system is still tender and fragile? Is it ignorance or what?
Unfortunately, the boy died in the clinic amidst physician’s effort to save his life. Who killed the boy – “Agbo or Mother?”
I’m not going to debate or blame any factor but in this article I’m going to lay emphasis on infant health as regards to herbal medicine. I won’t say Agbo is very safe for adults but I will let you know that children are very fragile and can’t metabolize such substances.
What is Agbo?
Agbo or Ag-boo Jedi is a bitter potion or herbal remedy that claims to cure a myriad of ailments. It is a dark coloured liquid prepared from the combination of certain roots, leaves, barks or stems of plants. Agbo is commonly consumed in the South-Western part of Nigerian. The main ingredient in this local concoction is Dongoyaro plant, also known as Neem.
The plant is generally referred to as a “Wonder Drug.” It is believed to cure fever, malaria, dysentery, body pains, typhoid and so on. According to herbalists, it has a success rate of 90-99%. However, government should monitor, assess and examine the efficacy of herbal remedies. Certain regulations and policies should be put in place.
Did you know?
◈ Certain herbal concoctions contain toxic chemicals that can cause liver and kidney damage. So, it is harmful to infants whose organs are not fit for such metabolism. If not excreted, accumulates in their system resulting to complications and infections.
◈ Most of these harmful chemicals have not been analyzed in the laboratory or removed through pharmaceutical means. The purity of the products are not guaranteed, thus not safe!
◈ There’s little or no scientific proof of the efficacy of this medication.
◈ One of the causes of infant mortality and if child survives can cause defects later in life.
My advice to mothers/care-givers are;
◈ Attend ante- and post-natal clinics
◈ Give quality care and attention to your children
◈ See a physician if your child is sick
◈ Always go to the hospital or community health centers when your child is sick, don’t run to herbalists!!!
Happy Weekend!
Out of curiosity I asked Nma’s mother who has been telling me about her convalescing child who’s no longer on parenteral support. I was told that the baby boy was given Agbo, a native herbal concoction by his mother to cure his dysentery and fever.
I was shocked! How can a mother give Agbo to a child whose body system is still tender and fragile? Is it ignorance or what?
Unfortunately, the boy died in the clinic amidst physician’s effort to save his life. Who killed the boy – “Agbo or Mother?”
I’m not going to debate or blame any factor but in this article I’m going to lay emphasis on infant health as regards to herbal medicine. I won’t say Agbo is very safe for adults but I will let you know that children are very fragile and can’t metabolize such substances.
What is Agbo?
Agbo or Ag-boo Jedi is a bitter potion or herbal remedy that claims to cure a myriad of ailments. It is a dark coloured liquid prepared from the combination of certain roots, leaves, barks or stems of plants. Agbo is commonly consumed in the South-Western part of Nigerian. The main ingredient in this local concoction is Dongoyaro plant, also known as Neem.
The plant is generally referred to as a “Wonder Drug.” It is believed to cure fever, malaria, dysentery, body pains, typhoid and so on. According to herbalists, it has a success rate of 90-99%. However, government should monitor, assess and examine the efficacy of herbal remedies. Certain regulations and policies should be put in place.
Did you know?
◈ Certain herbal concoctions contain toxic chemicals that can cause liver and kidney damage. So, it is harmful to infants whose organs are not fit for such metabolism. If not excreted, accumulates in their system resulting to complications and infections.
◈ Most of these harmful chemicals have not been analyzed in the laboratory or removed through pharmaceutical means. The purity of the products are not guaranteed, thus not safe!
◈ There’s little or no scientific proof of the efficacy of this medication.
◈ One of the causes of infant mortality and if child survives can cause defects later in life.
My advice to mothers/care-givers are;
◈ Attend ante- and post-natal clinics
◈ Give quality care and attention to your children
◈ See a physician if your child is sick
◈ Always go to the hospital or community health centers when your child is sick, don’t run to herbalists!!!
Happy Weekend!
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