Traditional Chinese medicine, an ancient and mysterious medical system, carries thousands of years of wisdom and experience of the Chinese nation, and it uses natural plants, animals and minerals as raw materials, and exerts a unique curative effect through a unique processing process and compatibility theory.
The charm of traditional Chinese medicine lies in its origins from nature, but beyond nature, each flavor of traditional Chinese medicine has its own unique medicinal properties and effects, through a reasonable combination, can reconcile the balance of yin and yang in the human body, so as to achieve the purpose of treating diseases.
In the world of Chinese medicine, there are no absolute taboos and conflicts. On the contrary, TCM emphasizes the mutual synergy of drugs, which can not only enhance the efficacy of the drug, but also reduce the adverse effects of the drug. It is this unique compatibility theory that makes traditional Chinese medicine have unique advantages in the treatment of diseases.
However, the efficacy of TCM is not achieved overnight, it requires patients to take it patiently and gradually regulate the body, which is different from the rapid treatment concept of modern medicine. However, it is this concept of slow treatment of chronic diseases that has made traditional Chinese medicine achieve remarkable results in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases.
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At the same time, the processing process of traditional Chinese medicine is also its unique feature, through different processing methods, the properties of the drug can be changed to make it more suitable for the needs of patients. For example, frying can make the drug easy to digest and absorb, while calcining can enhance the effect of the drug.
01
Doctor: Please stop taking 6 types of Chinese medicine, or have been included in the "liver injury list"?
These 6 types of Chinese medicines include: Chinese medicines containing aristolochic acid, Chinese medicines containing heavy metals, Chinese medicines containing toxic ingredients, Chinese medicines that have not been strictly concocted, precious Chinese medicines, and drugs for chronic diseases that have been taken for a long time, which have been included in the "liver damage list" and pose potential risks to the liver.
Traditional Chinese medicines containing aristolochic acid, such as Aristolochia, Guan Mutong, etc., can cause kidney damage and liver damage. Traditional Chinese medicines containing heavy metals, such as cinnabar and realgar, can cause liver and kidney damage and blood system abnormalities when taken for a long time.
Traditional Chinese medicines containing toxic ingredients, such as Xanthus and Tripterygium wilfordii, can easily lead to toxic hepatitis and liver failure. Traditional Chinese medicines that have not been strictly concocted, such as Shengshou Wu, Shengbanxia, etc., contain a large number of toxic components, which can easily cause liver and kidney damage.
Precious Chinese medicines, such as ginseng, deer antler velvet, etc., can cause liver and kidney damage if taken for a long time or in excess. Long-term use of chronic disease drugs, such as hypoglycemic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, etc., can also cause damage to the liver if taken inappropriately or in excess.
Therefore, in order to protect liver health, it is recommended to understand the dangers of these 6 types of Chinese medicine as soon as possible, avoid long-term or excessive use, and at the same time, it is also very necessary to have regular liver check-ups and follow the medication regimen recommended by the doctor.
02
Why does Chinese medicine cause liver damage?
First of all, we need to understand that the composition of Chinese medicine is very complex, which contains many natural alkaloids, phytoestrogens, pigments, volatile oils and other substances.
These substances may cause toxic reactions during metabolism in the human body, causing damage to the liver. In addition, some traditional Chinese medicines also contain harmful substances such as heavy metals and pesticide residues, which may also cause damage to the liver when taken for a long time.
Secondly, the preparation method and medication mode of traditional Chinese medicine are also important factors affecting its safety. In order to pursue curative effects, some unscrupulous businesses may add some chemical drugs to traditional Chinese medicine, which often cause a greater burden on the liver.
At the same time, some TCM practitioners may combine some hepatotoxic TCMs when prescribing medicines, thus aggravating liver damage.
In addition, the individual differences of patients are also an important factor affecting the safety of traditional Chinese medicines. Different human bodies react differently to the same herb, and some people may experience allergic reactions or intolerances, which can also cause some damage to the liver.
03
To avoid damage to the liver caused by traditional Chinese medicine, 4 problems should be paid attention to
First of all, choose a formal channel to buy Chinese herbal medicines. Avoid buying counterfeit, shoddy, illegally added, and contaminated medicinal materials, so as to ensure the quality of drugs and reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.
Second, follow your doctor's instructions to take your medication correctly. Patients should follow the doctor's guidance and take Chinese medicine in the prescribed dosage and time. Do not increase or decrease the dose or change the way you take the drug, so as not to affect the efficacy or increase the risk of adverse reactions.
Third, pay attention to drug compatibility contraindications. When taking Chinese medicine, avoid chemical reactions with other drugs or foods, which may affect the efficacy of the medicine. Therefore, patients should consult their doctors when taking traditional Chinese medicine to understand the compatibility and contraindications of drugs and ensure the safety of medication.
Finally, monitor liver function regularly. Patients who have been taking traditional Chinese medicine for a long time should have regular liver function tests so that liver damage can be detected in time. Once abnormal liver function is found, the drug should be stopped in time and medical treatment should be sought for treatment.
04
What are the symptoms of liver damage?
The first is fatigue and weakness. When the liver is damaged, the body is unable to metabolize energy efficiently, leading to fatigue and weakness. This type of fatigue is different from ordinary fatigue in that it is often accompanied by symptoms such as muscle weakness, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss.
The second is loss of appetite. The liver is responsible for secreting bile, which helps digest fats. When the liver is damaged, bile secretion may decrease, leading to loss of appetite and indigestion. This can lead to weight loss and malnutrition.
The third is yellowing of the skin and sclera. When the liver is damaged, bilirubin metabolism may be affected, causing bilirubin levels in the blood to rise, giving the skin and sclera a yellow color. This condition is called jaundice.
The fourth is bleeding tendency. The liver is responsible for the production of many important clotting factors. When the liver is damaged, the production of clotting factors may be affected, leading to a tendency to bleed. This can cause symptoms such as bleeding gums, nosebleeds, and skin ecchymosis.