These 6 Chinese herbs may have been included in the "liver-damaging list"? As the saying goes, "Nourishing the liver is nourishing life," highlighting the crucial role of the liver in overall health; its health directly impacts lifespan. Many people purchase health supplements to nourish their liver, but these cannot replace medications. Indiscriminate use can be counterproductive, not only failing to nourish the liver but potentially causing damage. Some believe Chinese medicine has no side effects, so they choose to take it when sick or drink herbal teas to help regulate their bodies. While some Chinese herbs do have health benefits, helping to improve physical condition and ward off illness, others are unsuitable for long-term use, as they can have adverse effects. After all, all medicines have some degree of toxicity. It's important to understand and use Chinese herbal medicine correctly. Prepared Chinese medicines and herbs sold in reputable hospitals have undergone processing or modern scientific extraction, eliminating toxic and harmful components. Self-collecting or purchasing unprocessed Chinese herbs can pose significant health risks. Therefore, avoid indiscriminately purchasing and consuming Chinese herbal medicines. When purchasing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), always go to a reputable hospital or pharmacy. Do not trust TCM sold by roadside vendors. Strictly follow the instructions or doctor's orders when taking TCM, and strictly limit the dosage and course of treatment. Do not take certain TCMs for extended periods without authorization, as this may damage your liver. Patients requiring long-term medication should follow their doctor's advice and have regular liver function tests. Please stop consuming these 6 types of TCM, or they may be on the "liver-damaging list." Learn more about He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum). He Shou Wu is widely used as a health supplement in traditional Chinese medicine. However, there are raw and processed forms. Processed He Shou Wu has effects such as blackening hair and strengthening bones, and its hepatotoxicity is greatly reduced. Raw He Shou Wu has a laxative effect but also has some hepatotoxicity. Unprocessed He Shou Wu contains rhubarb powder, which can cause liver damage. Many people are unaware of the difference between raw and processed He Shou Wu, leading to an increased risk of liver damage. Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen) is used to clear heat and dry dampness. Some people choose to take Sophora flavescens tablets for a long time to treat eczema. However, Sophora flavescens is only suitable for treating eczema caused by damp-heat accumulation in the lower abdomen. Unauthorized long-term use may cause liver damage. Artemisia argyi (Mugwort) has the effects of dispelling cold, regulating menstruation, warming the meridians, and stopping bleeding. Some people choose to use Artemisia argyi to treat dysmenorrhea. However, Artemisia argyi should not be consumed in large quantities for a long time, nor should it be used to prevent diseases. Studies have found that it contains some water-soluble substances and volatile oils. Long-term use can cause liver damage and even lead to cirrhosis. Therefore, if symptoms do not improve after a period of use, the medication should be stopped immediately. Ginkgo biloba (Bai Guo) has the effects of relieving cough and asthma and moisturizing the lungs. Unprocessed ginkgo biloba contains ginkgolic acid, amygdalin, etc., which are toxic substances. Large amounts can cause abdominal distension and even liver poisoning. Many people believe that Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Tu San Qi) and Panax notoginseng (San Qi) are the same drug. In fact, they are different and their effects are very different. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Tu San Qi) can achieve the effects of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and relieving pain. However, it contains special components that can damage the liver.
