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A recent medical case has renewed warnings about the dangers of consuming unregulated herbal beverages, when an Indian patient developed serious liver complications from jasmine-flavored coffee imported from China.
Cyriac Abby Phillips, widely known as The Liver Doc, shared details of the case on social media, revealing that the patient was hospitalized due to acute hepatitis and jaundice after consumption of a product marketed as Chinese Jasmine Coffee.
According to Dr. Phillips, the patient had been drinking two to three cups of the beverage per day for about a week before symptoms appeared. Early symptoms include yellowing of the eyes and urine, as well as intense itching – these symptoms are usually associated with liver injury. At first, doctors had difficulty pinpointing the cause of the sudden decline in liver function.
“Identifying the causative agent required an extensive process of elimination,” wrote Dr. Phillips, adding that after ruling out other causes, coffee emerged as the common culprit. The product consumed by the patient was reportedly sold under the brand name Dian Er Wa.
Addressing the confusion surrounding jasmine-based products, hepatologists clarified that not all plants labeled as “jasmine” are safe. While true jasmine species, such as Jasminum officinale, Jasminum grandiflorum, and Jasminum sambac, are generally considered safe when used in small amounts to flavor tea, many other plants labeled jasmine are poisonous.
Dr. Phillips cautioned that these so-called “false jasmines” can cause serious damage to vital organs, including the liver. Of most concern is night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum), a plant that is often mistaken for true jasmine despite belonging to an entirely different botanical family. “Every part of this plant is poisonous,” he warned, warning that its berries contain compounds that can interfere with calcium metabolism, causing serious illness and organ damage.
Other potentially harmful plants that are often misidentified as jasmine include yellow or Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), day-blooming jasmine (Cestrum diarnum) and star jasmine (Trachelospermum species), all of which have been linked to toxic reactions if ingested.
The doctor used the case to issue a widespread warning against the growing popularity of exotic herbal teas, coffees and wellness drinks. “Most of these products are not regulated, and consumers have no reliable way of knowing what plant ingredients they actually contain,” he said. He also pointed out that many beverages are marketed with health claims that are neither tested nor clinically validated.
Dr. Phillips concluded by advising people to avoid unfamiliar herbal drinks, especially those obtained from overseas without clear safety certification. He said the patient is currently recovering under medical care, but stressed that the incident highlights the hidden risks associated with seemingly harmless wellness trends.
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