Haze : Herbs to ward encounter the effects

Chinese Herbs

A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, Ng Eng Joo, said he had his hands full dealing with customers clamouring for various herbs to deal with sore eyes and throat or chest congestion.

“Depending on the ailment, I will prescribe a combination of herbs like figwort, firmoss, bamboo green tea, licorice and arhat fruit,” said Ng, who runs a traditional Chinese medicine shop in Lucky Garden, Bangsar.

Chinese Herbs

One of his customers, a 43-year-old businessman who wanted to be known only as Lim, said he had stocked up on supplements and traditional medicine for his family to prevent them from falling sick.
The haze has affected asthmatics badly. A sales representative, who wanted to be known only as Muthu, said he had been going to the doctors more often to treat his asthma over the past week.

A housewife, who wanted to be known only as Rokiah, said she tried to keep her three children indoors after school.

Haze surrounding Kuala Lumpur

“My youngest son is 9 years old. He has caught a bad cough and I think it has to do with the haze.”

A pharmacy in Lucky Garden said the sale of face masks had been brisk.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said his ministry would alert the public should the Air Pollutant Index readings breach the 100 mark in any area.

On the Malaysia Day and Merdeka joint celebrations tomorrow, he said the event would be postponed should the API readings go beyond 300.

“My ministry would take appropriate action and, if necessary, provide face masks for the 9,950 participants.”

He advised the public to drink lots of water and stay indoors if possible.
Liow said his ministry was working closely with the Meteorological Department in solving the haze situation.


Read more: Herbs to ward off haze effects http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Herbstowardoffhazeeffects/Article/#ixzz1YI9TzknG