HERBS and spices used in the developing world to treat sick infants could be
loaded with insecticides, according to Egyptian researchers. The contamination
goes unnoticed because herbal remedies fall between the cracks of health
regulations, being classified neither as food nor drugs.
Mohammed Tawfic Ahmed of the Suez Canal University in Ismailia, Egypt, and
his colleagues looked at samples of caraway, cumin seeds, cinnamon, anise and
ginger bought at local Egyptian markets. These medicinal herbs are often given
to children or newborns. Cumin is used to calm coughs, relieve aches or stop
itching. Cinnamon can be prescribed for diarrhoea, ginger…
