A serious medical case from India has triggered a fresh alert about the hidden dangers lurking in unregulated herbal and wellness beverages. The incident involved a patient who developed acute liver complications after consuming a jasmine-flavoured coffee imported from China.
The Case: From Daily Coffee to Hospitalisation
Prominent hepatologist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, known online as The Liver Doc, brought this alarming case to public attention through social media. He detailed how the patient was hospitalised with acute hepatitis and pronounced jaundice. The culprit was identified as a product marketed as Chinese Jasmine Coffee.
The patient had been drinking two to three cups of this beverage daily for roughly a week before symptoms appeared. Initial signs included the yellowing of eyes and urine, accompanied by severe itching—classic indicators of liver injury. Doctors initially faced a challenge in diagnosing the sudden cause of the liver function decline.
"It took a detailed elimination process to identify the trigger," Dr. Philips explained. After ruling out other common causes, the recently consumed coffee emerged as the common factor. The specific product was sold under the brand name Dian Er Wa.
Not All That is Called 'Jasmine' is Safe
Dr. Philips used this opportunity to clarify a widespread misconception. He stated that while true jasmine species like Jasminum officinale, Jasminum grandiflorum, and Jasminum sambac are generally safe in small amounts for flavouring, many other plants labelled as 'jasmine' are highly toxic.
These "false jasmines" can cause severe damage to vital organs, especially the liver. A primary offender is the night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum), which belongs to a different botanical family but is often mistaken for true jasmine. "Every part of this plant is poisonous," warned Dr. Philips, noting its berries contain compounds that disrupt calcium metabolism, leading to serious illness.
Other harmful plants commonly misidentified as jasmine include:
- Yellow or Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
- Day-blooming jasmine (Cestrum diurnum)
- Star jasmine (Trachelospermum species)
All have been associated with toxic reactions upon ingestion.
A Broader Warning on Unregulated Wellness Trends
This case prompted Dr. Philips to issue a wider caution against the booming popularity of exotic herbal teas, coffees, and wellness drinks. He emphasised that most such products are not strictly regulated, leaving consumers with no reliable way to verify their actual plant ingredients.
Furthermore, many are marketed with bold health claims that are neither scientifically tested nor medically validated. The doctor strongly advised people to avoid unfamiliar herbal drinks, particularly those sourced from overseas without clear safety certifications.
On a positive note, Dr. Philips confirmed that the affected patient is now recovering well under medical supervision. However, he stressed that this incident underscores the significant hidden risks associated with seemingly harmless wellness trends, urging consumers to exercise extreme caution.
