Herbal Coffee Horror: Liver Doctor Reveals Near-Fatal Case in Young Patient

There is Absolutely No Way a Consumer can be Sure What Type of Plant or Plant Part is in the Product, Expert Cautioned Users 

A renowned liver doctor has revealed a shocking case in which a young man nearly died after consuming unregulated herbal coffee. The incident highlights the dangers of unchecked wellness products.

Life-saving Diagnosis

Hepatologist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, widely known as The Liver Doc, shared a shocking case where a patient developed severe hepatitis after consuming an unregulated herbal coffee. The doctor shared the detailed case history on an Instagram post.

“A young man came to the hospital with yellow eyes and dark urine for two weeks. Two doctors had already been consulted, but they were baffled. No root cause was found,” said Dr. Cyriac.

“When the patient finally came to their care, the team went into 'Sherlock mode.’ But even they were stumped. Again, viruses, autoimmune markers, negative. Drugs, toxins, supplements, he denied them all,” says Dr. Philips.

“As a last-ditch attempt, we asked if he had changed anything in his diet. He thought for a while and said he had started drinking coffee a few weeks back,” Dr Philips explained.

“We were okay with that. Coffee is good for the liver. It wouldn’t cause jaundice,” he said. But when Dr. Philips asked which brand, the patient revealed it was a Chinese coffee given to him by a roommate. “I asked him to show it to me, and my heart sank. This was no regular coffee, it was Chinese Herbal Coffee,” Dr Philips revealed.

Herbal Coffee Side Effects

The patient consumed jasmine black coffee, which is an instant herbal powder drink. He consumed 2–3 cups daily for a week before the onset of peculiar symptoms. It included yellow eyes, dark urine, and severe itching of hands and feet.

“While true jasmine is generally safe in small amounts, some plants commonly labelled as ‘jasmine’ are highly toxic and can cause liver damage,” explained Dr. Philips. 

These include night-blooming jasmine, yellow jessamine, star jasmine, and others, which can lead to severe toxicity affecting the liver, heart, and kidneys.

“Most common causes of acute hepatitis and jaundice came back negative. Viruses, liver-toxic prescription drugs, herbal supplements, autoimmune disease, none of it was positive. We did so many scans and tests, yet the jaundice kept increasing,” Dr Philips recalled.

Advice from the Liver Doctor

The doctor warned, “Most herbal teas and coffees are unregulated. There is absolutely no way a consumer can be sure what type of plant or plant part is in the product.”

“Stay away from these advertised and promoted ‘exotic herbal drinks.’ None of them are tested for the health benefits they claim, nor for the safety we assume they have,” Dr. Philips added.

Final Thoughts

A simple dietary habit can turn fatal. This shocking case serves as a reminder that “herbal” or “natural” labels do not guarantee safety. Unregulated wellness products are widely available in the market. Medical experts urge consumers to verify ingredients and consult professionals before use. Health trends should never come at the cost of life.

This informational article does not substitute for professional medical advice. It is always advised to visit an expert before changing your food habits.