Form impotency to baldness

JAKARTA (JP): A Semarang doctor has warned men suffering from impotency to stay away from the 'tapak doro' leaves that are popularly touted as an effective cure to their problem.

The herbal medicine has a terrible side effect -- it may cause baldness, Susilo Wibowo of the Kariadi hospital in the Central Java city was quoted as saying by Antara yesterday.

The leaf is also harmful to the liver, Susilo said during a seminar on treating impotency organized by the hospital.

Impotent men are advised to avoid using herbal medicines because manufacturers often do not state the side effects. Sufferers should go and consult their doctors, he added. (emb)