An 82-year-old woman from eastern China recently made headlines after she swallowed eight live frogs in a desperate attempt to relieve her chronic lower back pain caused by a herniated disc. The woman, known only by her surname Zhang, believed in a local folk remedy that claimed live frogs had healing properties to cleanse the body and ease pain.
Zhang consumed three frogs on the first day and five on the next, all alive and smaller than the size of an adult’s palm. Initially, she experienced mild discomfort, but within days her abdominal pain intensified, making it difficult for her to walk. When she finally revealed to her family what she had done, they rushed her to a hospital in Hangzhou, where doctors diagnosed her with a serious parasitic infection called sparganosis, caused by tapeworm larvae from consuming raw amphibians.
Doctors warned that such traditional remedies, though rooted in old beliefs, pose significant health risks. Swallowing live frogs damaged Zhang’s digestive system and introduced parasites that could have led to vision problems, intracranial infections, or even life-threatening conditions. Fortunately, after two weeks of treatment, Zhang was discharged and is reported to be recovering.
This bizarre and dangerous case serves as a warning against following unverified folk cures, especially those involving raw or live animals. Medical professionals urge people to seek reliable treatments and avoid potentially harmful traditional practices.
