An 82-year-old woman in eastern China has become the centre of national attention after a desperate attempt to cure her chronic back pain led to a medical emergency. According to a report by South China Morning Post, the elderly woman, identified only by her surname Zhang, swallowed eight live frogs believing it would heal her lower back pain.
Zhang, who had long suffered from a herniated disc, was admitted to a hospital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in early September after complaining of sharp abdominal pain that left her unable to walk. Her son told doctors that she had consumed the live amphibians as part of a traditional remedy she had heard about through local folklore.
From folk belief to hospital bed
The report said Zhang had secretly asked her family to catch small frogs, each smaller than an adult’s palm. Without cooking or cleaning them, she swallowed three on the first day and five the next. Initially, she experienced mild stomach discomfort, which quickly worsened over the following days.
When the pain became unbearable, Zhang finally revealed her unusual self-medication attempt. At Zhejiang University No. 1 Affiliated Hospital, doctors ruled out the possibility of a tumour but detected a significant increase in oxyphil cells, a marker associated with parasitic infections and blood disorders. Further tests confirmed the presence of sparganum, a type of parasitic worm commonly found in amphibians.
“Swallowing frogs has damaged the patient’s digestive system and resulted in parasitic infections,” a doctor from the hospital told local media. Zhang underwent two weeks of treatment before being discharged.
‘Not an isolated incident’
Medical experts at the hospital say Zhang’s case is not unique. Dr. Wu Zhongwen, a senior physician at the facility, told Hangzhou Daily that similar cases have surfaced over the years. “Besides swallowing frogs, some individuals consume raw snake gall or fish gall, or apply frog skin to their body,” Wu said.
He explained that these so-called remedies are rooted in unverified folk beliefs and pose serious health risks. “Putting frog skin on one’s body is rumoured to treat skin diseases, but there is no scientific evidence to support it. On the contrary, it can lead to parasite infections, vision loss, brain complications, and even death,” he warned.
Internet myths and dangerous home cures
The incident underscores a broader public health concern about the persistence of unscientific remedies in parts of China, often amplified through social media. Earlier this year, a six-month-old baby girl in Zhejiang province was diagnosed with lead poisoning after her mother applied a home treatment she had found online. The woman had soaked her hands in a lead acetate solution to treat eczema, unknowingly transferring the toxic element to her child’s skin.
Experts urge citizens to seek medical help for chronic ailments rather than turning to online myths or folklore practices. As Dr. Wu emphasized, “Many elderly patients don’t discuss their health problems openly and rely on outdated beliefs, only seeking professional care when it’s too late.”
While traditional medicine holds an important place in many cultures, health professionals stress that unverified folk remedies can do more harm than good.
Zhang, who had long suffered from a herniated disc, was admitted to a hospital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in early September after complaining of sharp abdominal pain that left her unable to walk. Her son told doctors that she had consumed the live amphibians as part of a traditional remedy she had heard about through local folklore.
From folk belief to hospital bed
The report said Zhang had secretly asked her family to catch small frogs, each smaller than an adult’s palm. Without cooking or cleaning them, she swallowed three on the first day and five the next. Initially, she experienced mild stomach discomfort, which quickly worsened over the following days.
When the pain became unbearable, Zhang finally revealed her unusual self-medication attempt. At Zhejiang University No. 1 Affiliated Hospital, doctors ruled out the possibility of a tumour but detected a significant increase in oxyphil cells, a marker associated with parasitic infections and blood disorders. Further tests confirmed the presence of sparganum, a type of parasitic worm commonly found in amphibians.
“Swallowing frogs has damaged the patient’s digestive system and resulted in parasitic infections,” a doctor from the hospital told local media. Zhang underwent two weeks of treatment before being discharged.
‘Not an isolated incident’
Medical experts at the hospital say Zhang’s case is not unique. Dr. Wu Zhongwen, a senior physician at the facility, told Hangzhou Daily that similar cases have surfaced over the years. “Besides swallowing frogs, some individuals consume raw snake gall or fish gall, or apply frog skin to their body,” Wu said.
He explained that these so-called remedies are rooted in unverified folk beliefs and pose serious health risks. “Putting frog skin on one’s body is rumoured to treat skin diseases, but there is no scientific evidence to support it. On the contrary, it can lead to parasite infections, vision loss, brain complications, and even death,” he warned.
Internet myths and dangerous home cures
The incident underscores a broader public health concern about the persistence of unscientific remedies in parts of China, often amplified through social media. Earlier this year, a six-month-old baby girl in Zhejiang province was diagnosed with lead poisoning after her mother applied a home treatment she had found online. The woman had soaked her hands in a lead acetate solution to treat eczema, unknowingly transferring the toxic element to her child’s skin.
Experts urge citizens to seek medical help for chronic ailments rather than turning to online myths or folklore practices. As Dr. Wu emphasized, “Many elderly patients don’t discuss their health problems openly and rely on outdated beliefs, only seeking professional care when it’s too late.”
While traditional medicine holds an important place in many cultures, health professionals stress that unverified folk remedies can do more harm than good.
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