Doctor warns of herbal medicines ‘stronger than poitín’

A WARNING about taking over-the-counter herbal medicines which contain alcohol solutions stronger than poitín has been given by a Co Kerry GP.

Tralee doctor Bridget O’Brien said people were unaware that high alcohol levels contained in herbal tinctures could make them ill or result in them unwittingly driving while way over the legal alcohol limit.

She said one of her patients who was taking a number of herbal tinctures together was tested with a blood alcohol limit of 266 milligrammes of alcohol - more than three times the legal limit of 80mg.