Man takes herbal pain quackery, nearly dies, spends months in hospital

A 61-year-old resident of California faced a harrowing ordeal after using herbal supplements intended to alleviate joint pain, which resulted in severe health complications and an extended hospital stay. His case, documented in the *Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases*, underscores the potential dangers of unregulated herbal remedies. The man arrived at a San Francisco hospital in critical condition, exhibiting vague symptoms that emerged just two days prior. He presented with back pain, fever, nausea, bloating, and a lack of appetite, leaving him so weak that he required assistance to walk or even get out of bed. Medical staff noted a rapid heart rate and elevated breathing, accompanied by dangerously low blood pressure and multiple wounds on his lower body at various healing stages. Initial examinations and laboratory tests identified the presence of *Staphylococcus aureus* bacteria in his bloodstream, along with an abscess on his shoulder and a worsening infection around his spine. Doctors recommended a surgical procedure to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord and nerves; however, his low blood pressure prevented immediate action. The situation escalated when he entered hemorrhagic shock due to gastrointestinal bleeding, necessitating his transfer to the intensive care unit. Further evaluations in the ICU revealed additional gastrointestinal issues: severe inflammation of the esophagus, a stomach ulcer, and a bleeding ulcer in the upper portion of his small intestine. While medical interventions stabilized the bleeding, his condition continued to decline. His blood pressure fell further, and respiratory issues arose, ultimately requiring intubation to assist his breathing.