Two women who share the same husband in Dakwa, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, ended up in the hospital after drinking a local herbal mixture meant to attract their husband’s attention. The women took this step shortly after their husband married a third wife.
The herbal remedy, called kayan mata, is popular in some Nigerian cultures. Many believe it helps women appear more attractive and increases a man’s sexual interest.
Reports from Daily Trust revealed that the two women drank the mixture just three days after their husband, Musa Muhammad, married another woman from Gusau, Zamfara State.
Musa confirmed that the herbal drink caused serious health issues for his wives. He had to take them to the hospital quickly for treatment.
He said he got a call from his main home saying the women were very sick, just after he spent the night with his new bride.
“When I got the call, I rushed home and saw them in pain, rolling on the floor and complaining about stomach aches,” he said.
At first, they were treated by a local nurse, but their condition didn’t improve. Musa then took them to a private clinic in Madalla, Niger State. There, doctors said the herbal mixture damaged some of their internal organs.
The women needed surgery and spent nearly a week in the hospital before being sent home on Monday.
The mixture, which they usually bought from a female herbalist, is normally a liquid added to milk. But this time, the herbalist gave them a powdered version, which may have caused the health problems.
Now, efforts are being made to find the herbalist for questioning.
Maryam Muhammad, a nurse at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, spoke to Daily Post and warned about the dangers of kayan mata.
She said that these mixtures can affect a woman’s hormones, leading to health problems and sometimes increasing the risk of cancer.
Maryam also said most people making these products don’t even know what’s inside them, and some ingredients aren’t natural at all.
She advised women to choose safer options.
“Natural fruits and healthy foods are better and safer for improving your sex life,” she added.
