An Elmont mother alleges her teenage son became gravely ill, suffering brain damage after taking an herbal supplement and is now suing the company that made it.

Eunice Hammonds says her 19-year-old son Junior Melong came down with encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, after taking the male enhancement herb called yohimbe in the product Xomax.

?He has absolutely no memory,? Melong?s attorney Kenneth Mollins says. ?He doesn't remember it?s his birthday and I spoke to him few days ago and he didn't remember his name."

She is suing Nutritional Science Laboratories, in Florida, for $10 million claiming the company lied when it advertised there were no side effects to the supplement.

?Herbal supplements don't generally come with appropriate warnings,? NUMC Associate Medical Director Dr. Ken Steier says ?You can overdose, who even knows what the right dose is??

Phil Clementi, owner of Phil's Vitamin Center in Syosset, says it?s important to buy top national brands when purchasing products like yohimbe.

News 12 Long Island?s calls and e-mails to Nutritional Science Laboratories for comment were not returned.

To see an extended interview with Hammonds, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.