May 14, 2001 (Post Publishing Plc) - Don't put all your trust in the herbal drinks with Chinese names currently available on the market, or so warns Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA said these "wonder drinks"do not possess the universal solution to all your ailments, despite what their advertisers might claim.
The FDA warned in a recent statement that these drinks are not even registered under the laws regulating the registration, production, distribution and advertisement.
They are just regular drinks, the FDA says.
Chuntana Jutiteparuk, a senior expert on standard of public health products, said the FDA has received numerous complaints about misleading advertisements for several herbal drinks which use Chinese names.
The advertisements capitalise on the general positive attitude towards ancient Chinese remedies.
They boast that the herbal drinks can prevent cancer, cure heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and rheumatism.
None of these claims of medical effectiveness in preventing or curing disease have yet to be scientifically proven.
The sales pitch includes direct sales, seminars on the qualities of these herbal drinks, leaflets and flyers, as well as advertisements placed through various media.
Most consumers who filed complaints with the FDA believed these herbal drinks were medicines, only to find they did not really help with their illness.
The FDA warns that these drinks may even worsen illness which is left untreated by proven remedies, possibly leading to complications.
New discoveries bring hope
New Millennium Science may soon be able to correct abnormalities in the genes and prevent incurable diseases such as cancer, brain disease and manic depression.
Assistant Professor Dr Wilai Thienrungroj of the Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, spoke about gene editing at a recent annual pharmaceutical academic meeting.
She said the new technology differs from current treatment methods which aims to establish the right chemical balance in the body by administrating medicines.
Also at the meeting, scientists discussed new medicines to control obesity, prevent baldness, and even to prolong life span or creating more pleasing body odours to attract the opposite sex.
Be on lookout for fake bird's nest
Ready to drink bird's nest has long been considered good for health and appreciated a status symbol wing to its rarity and high price.
Recently, the FDA has found fake bird's nest drinks are widespread in stores and from street vendors. These are made from a type of tree rubber.
The FDA advises consumers to look for a sealed bottle with the appropriate label from its offices.
