A Review on Carcinogenic Potential Hazards of Herbal Medications

The herbal medication refers to crude drugs of vegetable origin utilized for the treatment of diseases. Generally, the herbs were selected and utilized by nonprofessionals like old persons of home or local herbal practitioners and rarely by recognized herbal practitioners in India. People are using herbal medications not only to cure day-to-day ailments but also to improve body resistance and to improve fitness. The regular and continuous use of herbal medications may cause specific problems over relatively long periods, as many herbs contain various active principles, which may posses some level of toxicity. Thus, it is very important to recognize the potential hazards of various herbs and their medicative preparations. Many plants such as members of Euphorbiaceae, Boraginaceae, Asteraceae etc., contain biochemicals like phenylpropanoid compounds, various acids, tannins and phorbol esters etc., which are carcinogenic and can promote tumor formation.