Folk remedy: ready to deceive you without compromise

by 60888888 on 2010-02-03 10:57:38

Some people are keen on folk remedies. There is no denying that these remedies can cure diseases with significant efficacy. However, folk remedies often have issues of exaggeration or being mixed with ineffective elements. Those lacking relevant medical knowledge find it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake remedies. It is strongly advised not to blindly follow them without proper understanding, as improper use could be fatal instead of curative.

Since ancient times, thousands of health-preserving or disease-curing folk remedies, earthy prescriptions, and secret recipes have been passed down orally or by hand-copying in the folk. In recent years, with the improvement of people's living standards and the enhancement of health awareness, books and newspapers introducing folk remedies have become very popular. Many people even "follow the map to find the horse" and act as their own "doctors", using the records from these remedies for themselves or their families to maintain health or treat diseases. While some people may "stumble upon the right path," others "lose their lives while trying to treat." Is a folk remedy good or bad, and how should it be properly evaluated and used?

Recently, several experienced TCM experts have unanimously believed that among the vast number of folk remedies, there are both "gold" and "garbage." A critical eye must be used to carefully distinguish and use them cautiously. But most ordinary people lack the corresponding medical knowledge, making it difficult to discern the authenticity of folk remedies. Blindly eating or using them can often cause more harm than benefit to the body. It is suggested to consult a specialist physician before use and follow medical advice after confirming the symptoms.

Folk remedies are rampant, curing diseases but also taking lives.

Many cases can be found in emergency departments where people, with the mindset of 'treating a dead horse as if it were alive,' such as cancer patients or those focusing on health preservation, nearly lost their lives due to misuse of folk remedies. He once encountered a patient who mistakenly believed swallowing fish gallbladder raw could reduce internal heat and improve eyesight. After swallowing several, the patient was poisoned, leading to acute renal failure and had to be urgently treated through blood perfusion (equivalent to a blood change) to save his life. He has also noticed many related reports: For example, a folk remedy promotes eating live loaches raw to reduce internal heat and even treat lung diseases, causing many to imitate it. A Ms. Zhang had a live loach she swallowed enter her bronchus, causing breathing difficulties and nearly suffocating to death. There was also a patient with gallstones who took medicine according to a prescription from a magazine without consulting a professional doctor. This resulted in severe poisoning, turning white in the face, black lips, vomiting, and diarrhea, and ultimately failing to be saved when sent to the hospital...

Folk remedies, which previously needed to be passed down orally, are now easily found in various books and newspapers. On the Internet, all kinds of folk remedies are almost "searchable in abundance." Typing the two words "folk remedy" on Baidu results in as many as 11,600,000 articles, with several related "folk remedy websites" available, categorized into treating colds, coughs, hypertension, diabetes, allergic rhinitis, coronary heart disease... covering everything imaginable.

Experts point out that indeed, there are cases where folk remedies have cured diseases in clinical practice, but why they work? "Most people stumble upon success by chance, this approach is very dangerous!" It is hoped that everyone will look at folk remedies dialectically in the future.