Professionals point out risks of unmonitored herbal consumption for health

Unconventional treatments like the widely consumed Agbo (a local herbal concoction served as a beverage) have been pinpointed as a significant factor contributing to the escalating cases of kidney failure in Nigeria.

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Presently, approximately 17 million Nigerians are grappling with varying degrees of kidney disease.

The prevalence of Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) in both developing and developed nations ranges from 2.5 percent to as high as 35.8 percent among the elderly population.

During a recent public lecture held in Lagos to commemorate World Kidney Day, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye, the Clinical Director at St. Nicholas Hospital, cautioned that instead of alleviating or managing the condition, unconventional treatments are more likely to exacerbate kidney ailments.

He emphasized that scientific evidence has demonstrated that herbal remedies, such as Agbo, various supplements, and other alternative medications, tend to compound a patient’s health issues.

Dr. Bamgboye stressed that individuals with conditions like diabetes or hypertension, which already strain the kidneys, should avoid resorting to unorthodox treatments.

He highlighted that herbal supplements like Agbos, ginkgo, bilo, Echinacea, among others, have been deemed ineffective by medical professionals.

He strongly advised against using any medication that has not been prescribed by a qualified doctor.

In addition to herbal remedies, Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension, and glomerulonephritis were identified as other factors that can potentially trigger kidney problems. Dr. Bamgboye, speaking at the public lecture themed ‘Kidney Health for All: Challenges to its actualization in Nigeria’ organized by the Kidney Foundation for Africa, emphasized that governmental intervention could significantly help curb the rising prevalence of kidney diseases in Nigeria.