Decoding the Secret of Natural Herbs that Damage Liver? 5 Types of Chinese Medicine Listed in the “Liver Damage List”!
Chinese herbal medicine is not 100% harmless, and must be used reasonably and under the guidance of a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.
In recent years, people’s awareness of health preservation has become stronger, coupled with the information age, people can directly obtain health knowledge from newspapers and the internet, often picking or purchasing Chinese herbs for health care. However, some Chinese herbs are not used correctly, which not only fails to exert their effects but also harms the liver.
Why do natural herbs harm the liver?
1. Related to the quality of Chinese medicine
Both the cultivation and processing of Chinese herbs, as well as the storage and transportation, are crucial links. A slight carelessness may cause contamination by bacteria or viruses, causing Chinese herbs to deteriorate and increase their toxicity.
2. Related to physical constitution
Everyone knows that drinking alcohol damages the liver because alcohol is metabolized and broken down in the liver. Frequent drinking can induce alcoholic liver disease, alcoholic cirrhosis, or liver cancer. Such people who use Chinese herbs are bound to increase the damage to the liver and even cause liver failure.
3. Misuse of ancestral secret recipes
In poor areas with no medical qualifications, and with unlicensed quacks who misuse Chinese medicine, they randomly combine Chinese herbs without mastering the dosage or selecting the right herbs, which can harm the liver.
Which Chinese herbal medicines can harm the liver?
1. Senna Leaf
Senna Leaf can be used in small quantities for stubborn constipation. It has a laxative effect that helps with bowel movements and is useful for cleaning the intestines and relieving gastrointestinal discomfort. However, long-term use of Senna Leaf can cause the intestines to produce too many active substances, increasing the metabolic burden on the liver and kidneys, disrupting the body’s internal environment, and even causing black bowel disease.
2. Chelidonium
This bitter and cold herb belongs to the liver and lung meridians. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxification, improving vision, and promoting diuresis. It is often used to treat skin eczema, diarrhea and dysentery, and red and swollen eyes, as well as relieving fever and sore abscess. However, excessive use of this herb can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, spleen and stomach deficiency, and can also damage liver and kidney function.
3. Mugwort
Mugwort is a common Chinese herb in rural areas that can warm the body, stop bleeding, and regulate menstrual irregularities. However, long-term use of Mugwort can damage the liver, leading to drug-induced liver injury or cirrhosis, and reducing liver function to varying degrees.
4. Polygonum Multiflorum
Polygonum Multiflorum, if used without proper processing, can cause chronic liver poisoning. Even with reasonable processing, it should not be used for a long time, and the medicine should be stopped immediately after the condition improves.
5. Ginkgo Fruit
Ginkgo Fruit can nourish yin and moisten the lungs, relieve coughing. However, its toxicity is extremely high, especially if it is not fully cooked, it can cause poisoning and seriously damage the liver.
Reminder
Chinese herbal medicine is not 100% harmless, and must be used reasonably and under the guidance of a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. Only then can it achieve the effects of treating diseases or nourishing the body. In addition, the dosage and treatment course of Chinese medicine should be strictly controlled. Prolonging the duration of use casually may increase the toxicity to the liver and kidneys.
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