WMJ. 2001 ; 100(7): 32-4.

Use of imported folk remedies and medications in the Wisconsin Hmong community.

Werner MA, Knobeloch LM, Erbach T, Anderson HA.

Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, PO Box 2659, 1 W Wilson St, Madison, WI 53701-2659, USA.

The Marathon County Health Department and the Wisconsin Division of Public Health evaluated several imported drugs and folk remedies that were being used by 2 Hmong families. These included a powdered blend of folk remedies that had been purchased in California and 5 packets of medication that had been imported from Thailand. The powdered folk remedy contained arsenic sulfide as a principal ingredient. The drug packets contained acetyl aspirin, acetaminophen and chloramphenicol. The purity of these drugs was not assessed, and their dates of manufacture could not be determined. To discourage use of folk remedies and imported drugs, the county health department issued a press release that was published in a Hmong community newsletter. Despite these efforts, many Asian immigrants may continue to use these products.