Exercise caution while having these herbal teas: Expert explains

Our market is flooded with products and ingredients that claim to improve immunity and treat vitamin deficiencies. Herbal teas that have quickly become part of our daily diet are among them. Tea leaves are made from hundreds of plants that have medicinal properties. However, most products are introduced into the market without proper scientific studies or testing. Some of them may even contain harmful ingredients. Dr Goutham Suresh SP, Agriculture Officer at Vikas Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, explains. 

Senna tea
Senna tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves or pods of the senna plant, or cassia angustifolia/ cassia senna. Popularly known as detox and weight-loss tea, the senna sennocide compound in it stimulates the large intestine and induces bowel movements. However, it doesn’t eliminate toxins from the body. Long-term or overconsumption of senna tea may adversely affect the large intestine's function, and bowel movements may largely depend on it. 

Besides, overconsumption of senna tea causes stomach pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. When the body loses water content and potassium, you may experience exhaustion, nausea and irregular heartbeats. Meanwhile, some reports claim that long-term consumption of senna tea may cause damage to the liver and kidneys. So, pregnant women, nursing mothers and liver and kidney patients shouldn’t consume senna tea without getting proper guidance from doctors. 

Comfrey tea 
Comfrey tea is made from leaves or roots of the plant Symphytum officinale. It has traditionally been used to support wound healing and as a natural painkiller. However, consuming this herb by infusing it in water is quite dangerous. The pyrrolizidine in comfrey can adversely affect liver function and even block blood vessels. Long-term usage of comfrey tea may cause inflammation in the liver and even cancer. 

High-dose green tea extract
High-dose green tea extract is a concentrated supplement made from green tea leaves. It contains a high dosage of epigallocatechin gallate, an antioxidant that supports weight loss. This compound is commonly used in food supplements. Long-term or overconsumption of high-dose green tea extract may cause liver inflammation, exhaustion, vomiting, stomach pain, jaundice, especially when consumed on an empty stomach. Liver patients and pregnant women should consume this only after seeking medical advice. 

Such herbal drinks that take over the markets, claiming to protect the liver by detoxing, often do more harm than good. It must be noted that only organs such as the liver and kidneys can eliminate toxins from the body. Such drinks should be included in the diet only with the expert advice of a nutritionist or a doctor.