Biomedicine

Abstract

This case study highlights the importance of using alternative or herbal medication with no authority or medical prescription. Obesity is a disease that affect human physiological and psychological health and leads to serious complications such as cardiovascular problems. An overweight 41-aged female with a body mass index of 53.9 Kg/m2 with no medical history has self-prescribed a herbal tea of fountain grass aerial parts following herbalist advice. Her obesity is poorly controlled and negatively affect her social, emotional, and overall psychological status. Insulin resistance, lipid profile, and glycosylate hemoglobin were on the highest edges. The patient tried many diet regimes with no avail. After regular intake of the herbal tea for six months in conjugation with a low-carb diet; there was an enhancement in her obesity profile conjugated with significant improvements in her body scores and biochemical profile. Undesirable effects were experienced include loss of appetite, constipation, and mood change. The herbal fountain grass tea has a significant contribution to decrease the patient weight and improve her biochemical readings. Alternative therapy and traditional recipes have to be monitored and investigated thoroughly for clinical evidence. The safety of P. setaceum needs more investigation.