Says people who consume ‘agbo’ may later have kidney issues
A medical doctor, Dr Olusina Ajidahun, has raised the alarm on the excessive intake of herbal concoction, better known as agbo, noting that it could cause various kidney complications, and, in the long run, death.
Herbal concoctions are prepared from a mixture of plants’ roots, barks and leaves, which are either soaked in water or alcohol during preparation.
He said that people who consume the concoctions might have their kidneys damaged later in life.
Ajidahun, who specialises in internal medicine, also said that herbal concoctions might damage the liver and other vital organs.
He said: “A lot of people that consume this concoction (agbo) later have kidney issues in life. This drink has the potential to damage the liver and many organs. This drink has slowly found its way to a prominent cause of kidney damage in Nigerians.”
Ajidahun shared with The Guardian the results of tests carried out at the University of Lagos Consultancy Services, where herbal concoctions from different parts of the country were analysed.
The analysis revealed the presence of chemicals, including Naphthalene, a component commonly found in mothballs and pesticides, which has been linked to cancer risks.
He explained further that Naphthalene is used popularly to make Camphor balls, the white balls sometimes used in preserving clothes, adding that it is also used in making chemicals for dyes and for killing pests in farms.
He said: “Naphthalene destroys blood cells and has been linked to cancer. Some countries have banned Naphthalene balls but it is still in Nigeria. Agbo contains Naphthalene and should not be taken as a drink.
“Acenaphthylene is used in making dyes, which is used in colouring clothes because of its peculiarities. It is also used as a pigment used to hold colours in different clothing types.”
