G.A. Viray
Sehat Badan Coffee is a popular herbal coffee which is sold online and in some places in Mindanao. It is said to be produced in Indonesia and is made up of at least four herbs (ginger, cabe java, sativa seeds, and black pepper) that cure many diseases. Dealers of this Indonesian herbal coffee claim that it has been proven effective in healing the following diseases: asthma, allergies, rheumatism, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, migraine, impotence, ulcers, tumors, fatigue, insomnia, toothache, kidney stones, and strokes to name a few. With an affordable price ranging from PhP 180 to 260 for every box of 30 sachets, any person would be tempted to purchase this product which claims to be a health wonder.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and some doctors have issued a warning about the ill effects of this wonder coffee as it has become more and more popular in the market.
FDA Warning
In January 2014, the FDA issued a warning against the use of Sehat Badan coffee. According to FDA, the product has violated A.O. 88-B s. 1984, since the product label does not have an English translation. Products with no English translation are “not permitted for local distribution”. They say these products “pose harm to consumers” since they will not have a correct understanding of the product. It also said in FDA’s warning that the claims from the Jamu Sehat Badan website are not approved and it is not registered with the FDA.
In July 2014, the FDA also issued a reiteration of the warning of the use of Sehat Badan coffee. This is because the product is still available online and in Mindanao despite the previous FDA warning.
Doctors attest to the ill effects of the product
According to Philstar, several consumers of the Sehat Badan coffee have complained about the ill effects of consuming this herbal drink. Several Filipino doctors found their patients “edematous” (marked by edema) after drinking the coffee.
Dr. Rhodette Arevalo, a known internist and cardiologist, said she saw patients who consumed the coffee were all edematous. She said that aside from the ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, and paracetamol found in Sehat Badan coffee by the FDA, she also suspects that the coffee also contains steroids.
Explanation on why patients who consumed Sehat Badan coffee found relief from symptoms
Arevalo stated that drinkers of Sehat Badan may feel better after drinking the coffee because the drugs in it are all anti-inflammatory and analgesic which can relieve pain and inflammation. She said FDA should conduct more tests on the product as some of the patients she saw had a “moon face” and “buffalo hump” which are signs of long-term steroid use.
On a final note, Arevalo warned the public not to take any food supplements which do not have enough scientific studies to support them.
As of writing Sehat Badan Coffee is still available online not only in Mindanao, but in several places in the country. These sellers claim that what they sell are authentic and original and that their products have no adverse effects contrary to the FDA warning.
Featured Photo Credit: Metro Cebu
