A 30-year-old civil servant named Xiao Wang, suffering from hypertension-related kidney disease, followed a rural folk remedy claiming "frog roasted with croton seeds" could cure kidney ailments. After a period of this treatment, his condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to kidney failure and ultimately uremia.
A similar case occurred in Chongqing, where an elderly man, suffering from a persistent cough, blindly followed a folk remedy—drinking gasoline to treat his cough—for 42 years, ultimately leading to malnutrition.
News of delayed treatment or even life-threatening consequences from believing in folk remedies is not uncommon. This indicates that such remedies hold a certain market appeal among most groups in China, particularly in rural areas. However, with scientific progress and the spread of medical knowledge, an increasing number of folk remedies have been proven not only ineffective but also harmful to health.
Below, Xiao Jiu will debunk these harmful folk remedies one by one~
Folk Remedy #1:Swallowing Live Tadpoles to Clear Heat — Leads to Parasite Infection
Xiao Jiu once saw a bizarre video online where a mother fed her child a bowl of wriggling live tadpoles, accompanied by text claiming it was a folk remedy to clear heat.
Experts warn that consuming raw tadpoles introduces large amounts of microorganisms into the body. Tadpoles may also harbor parasites or parasite eggs, making raw consumption risky for infection.
"Clearing heat" symptoms often include sore throat, cough, mouth ulcers, or constipation.For scientifically effective heat reduction, besides targeted treatment, the most crucial approach is cultivating healthy lifestyle habits—such as drinking ample water and consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables. Folk Remedy #2: Fig-Water Foot Soaks — Resulting in Skin Burns When 25-year-old Wu noticed her baby had mild diarrhea, she heard from elders that soaking feet in fig water could treat infant diarrhea.Following this folk remedy, she boiled fresh fig leaves and soaked her baby's feet in the solution. Within days, the baby's feet became red and swollen, covered in large blisters.
Mrs. Wu rushed her child to the children's hospital. After hearing the story, the doctor severely reprimanded her, asking how she could treat her child so recklessly. Fig leaves are photosensitive plants; when applied to the skin, they can cause photosensitive dermatitis. After the child used the fig water for foot soaks and then went out in the sun, it caused chemical skin burns.
For infant diarrhea, the proper approach is to seek medical care, follow prescribed medication, and regulate the child's diet—not to recklessly trust folk remedies and gamble with a child's health.
Folk Remedy #3:Eating Raw Fish Gallbladders for Eye Health — Poisoning
Many folk remedies advocate consuming raw animal organs. However, eating raw organs or meat not only risks parasite infection but can also cause poisoning. Raw fish gallbladders, for instance, contain harmful substances like hydrogen cyanide and histamine, which negatively impact human heart muscle cells and brain cells.
To truly improve eyesight, first reduce screen time. In modern society, most eye disorders stem from prolonged electronic device use. Additionally, incorporate foods rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene into your diet, such as carrots, water spinach, cantaloupe, and other colorful fruits and vegetables.
Folk Remedy #4: Centipede Treatment for Hemorrhoids—Resulting in Death
In the martial arts novels of Jin Yong and Gu Long, protagonists poisoned by deadly toxins often resort to "fighting poison with poison" by consuming other venomous creatures like centipedes or snakes.Folk remedies promoting "fighting poison with poison" also circulate. The Infectious Diseases Department at Harbin Medical University Fourth Hospital once treated a patient who, believing in such folk remedies, consumed centipedes to treat hemorrhoids. This led to liver and kidney failure, ultimately resulting in death despite medical intervention. Doctors caution that using toxic substances for treatment not only fails to cure but often backfires.
The most scientific approach to treating hemorrhoids is to seek care at a reputable hospital, follow medical advice for medication, and modify unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits. Avoid staying up late, increase physical activity, quit smoking and drinking, and boost intake of high-fiber foods. Do not blindly trust folk remedies, which can lead to tragic outcomes.
Folk Remedy #5: Applying Toothpaste to Burns
Applying toothpaste to burned skin is often touted as an effective way to reduce the severity of burns. However, this practice can actually increase the risk of infection at the burn site, hinder wound healing, and in severe cases, delay recovery and worsen the injury.
Proper burn treatment involves rinsing the wound with copious amounts of running water for at least ten minutes. For minor burns, over-the-counter burn ointments may be applied. Severe burns require immediate medical attention.
Interaction: What other folk remedies have you heard of? Have you tried any?