A man, who had just graduated from a university in China, has died from overdosing on a plant-based tonic used to treat hair loss. He was apparently treating himself in preparation for a job.

Twenty-six year old Cui Fei of Anhui province graduated last summer from the Central South University of Forestry and Technology located in Changsha, southern Hunan province, according to Anhuinews.com.

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In preparation for a job once he graduates, Cui sought help to treat his hair loss problems in January 2015. He found help attwo hospitals in Anhui.

First Cui was given a prescription from Jin'an hospital. He initially received a prescription of two weeks of tonics that included a plant called Heshouwu (or He Shou Wu) which is commonly used to treat hair loss in traditional Chinese medicine.

Although he became sick while in the course of treatment, he continued and finished taking the prescription.

With the hair loss problem not solved after the first course of treatment, Cui sought help from another hospital. The second hospital reportedly gave him another medicine that also contained the said plant.

In August, Cui was still taking the medicine prescribed by the second hospital when he was found to have drug-induced liver damage. Two months later, his liver failed.

Cui died December 31. Cui is reported to have taken a total of nearly 3 kilograms of heshouwu.

According to the China Food and Drug Administration, heshouwu is potentially dangerous to a person's liver when taken orally. In fact, in July 2014, the Administration released warnings stating the possible side effects of taking the plant.

The use of heshouwu (also known as Chinese knotweed) has been associated with liver problems such as jaundice, abnormal liver functions and hepatitis.

While Cui's family has accused doctors of negligence in prescribing the medicine containing heshouwu, a deputy director for Jin'an said that the hospital has no responsibility for his death.

“What our doctors prescribes is very common in treating hair loss. The dosage was within limits,” the deputy said. “We asked patients to come to the hospital to check for side effects every two weeks.”

TagsCui Fei, heshouwu, Jin'an hospital, Central South University of Forestry and Technology