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Medicine with turmeric found to be harmful

Samples of turmeric powder have been found to contain substances harmful to human health, according to the UAE Health Ministry.

DUBAI - Samples of turmeric powder, being widely used in the country as an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic medicine, have been found to contain substances harmful to human health, according to the UAE Health Ministry.

The powder, which is being touted as an herbal medicine to cure knee and back pain, is currently available in the local Chinese market and also being brought to the UAE by people travelling abroad.

A senior health official said it was the ministry’s duty to warn people about harmful drugs.

According to reports issued by the ministry’s Drug Control Laboratory, the confiscated samples of the medicine were found to contain harmful substances such as piroxicam and paracetamol that could lead to heart failure, stroke and high blood pressure.

Turmeric is an herb that gives Indian curries a distinct flavour and colour. It is also being used as an Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat a wide range of ailments from digestive problems to cancers.

Dr Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing at the ministry, said samples of the medicinal powder were brought to the ministry by a UAE national.

“We discovered the chemicals after the testing was done though patients reportedly benefitted from the medicine initially but developed problems later on.”

He said the chemical additives found in the samples came from unknown sources. “The laboratory discovered that the fraudulent product contains piroxicam and paracetamol as well as other unknown substances that are harmful to the human health,” he added. He, however, added that the powder itself is beneficial, but the chemicals are not.

“Anti-inflammatory and non-steroid substances such as piroxicam may lead to myocardial infarction and strokes in addition to high blood pressure. Therefore, patients who suffer from high blood pressure must be very careful when using such products,” he warned.

“Patients who suffer from asthma or are allergic to aspirin should not use this kind of medicine,” he added. Additionally, products containing piroxicam should not be used as painkillers by patients who have conducted coronary arteries surgeries.

He also warned that such products are mixed with other herbal substances and packaged under uncontrolled humid conditions and temperatures that can lead to their decay into more toxic and harmful materials.

Studies carried out at Shaikh Zayed Complex for Herbal Research and Traditional Medicine in Abu Dhabi have found that a number of herbal drugs contained active pharmaceutical ingredients and banned substances that may lead to neurological and psychological issues and sometimes death. Most commonly adulterated drugs were those for obesity, erectile dysfunction and arthritis.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com