Flip side of the herbal story: How incorrect use can damage the liver

It isn't just overuse that is dangerous; oftentimes one is unable to distinguish between the good and bad, as seen in the case of medicinal mushrooms

For a long time, ‘natural’ was touted as safe. This belief grew firmer when the pandemic began testing people’s immunity. Herbs such as Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) quickly made it to kitchen shelves as immune-boosters, as people believed herbal medication wouldn't harm even if it did not cure.

But natural products can be toxic too. In 2013, dietary supplements containing 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA), often considered as a “natural” stimulant, led to cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks, according to Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine.

Dr Akash Shukla, director, hepatology, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, came across something along similar