'Tonics harmful not healthful'

PALEMBANG: A number of tonics sold in South Sumatra markets, which are traditionally made of medicinal herbs, have been found to contain dangerous additives, an official says.

Head of public relations at the drug control agency Burhanuddin Gumay said on Saturday that 82 tonics for different ailments had been found to contain substances that were addictive, harmful to one's health, or, in high doses, lethal.

He said the traders believed the additives would improve their tonics' curative effect, but common sense would suggest otherwise.

"But people keep drinking them anyway, and the dangerous chemicals accumulate in their bodies in the process," Burhanuddin said. -- JP