Danshen and hawthorn are common traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Danshen has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, while hawthorn has the function of promoting digestion and relieving food stagnation. So, can Danshen and hawthorn be taken together?
Can Danshen and Hawthorn Be Taken Together?
Yes, they can.
Danshen has a bitter taste and a slightly cold nature. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, relieving pain, clearing the mind, cooling the blood, and resolving abscesses. Hawthorn has a sweet and sour taste and a mild warm nature. It has the functions of invigorating the spleen, promoting digestion, promoting blood circulation, and resolving blood stasis. Both herbs have obvious medicinal effects and no conflicting properties or effects. Therefore, Danshen and hawthorn can be taken together.
The Benefits of Soaking Danshen and Hawthorn in Water
Promoting Blood Circulation and Relieving Pain
Danshen has the effect of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, and hawthorn also has the function of dispersing blood stasis. Soaking Danshen and hawthorn in water can help promote blood circulation, maintain smooth blood vessels, and assist in the treatment of menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, poor blood circulation, and injuries.
Protecting Cardiovascular Health
Both Danshen and hawthorn have the effect of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, which can improve cardiovascular blood circulation, maintain smooth blood vessels, and reduce vascular resistance. Therefore, soaking Danshen and hawthorn in water can have a certain therapeutic effect on cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and hypertension.
Improving Digestion
Hawthorn contains various organic acids, which can promote gastric juice secretion, increase gastric acidity, enhance the activity of gastric protease, and promote protein digestion. The fatty acids in hawthorn can also promote fat digestion. Therefore, soaking Danshen and hawthorn in water can stimulate appetite and improve digestion.
Lowering Blood Lipids
Danshen contains components such as tanshinone, which has a strong effect of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, reducing vascular resistance. Hawthorn flavonoids can inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver and reduce the concentration of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood. Therefore, soaking Danshen and hawthorn in water can assist in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
How to Soak Danshen and Hawthorn in Water
Ingredients: 6g Danshen, 10g hawthorn, a suitable amount of rock sugar or white sugar.
1. Wash and slice the Danshen, wash and slice the hawthorn, and remove the seeds.
2. Put the Danshen and hawthorn into a teapot.
3. Add a suitable amount of water.
4. Boil over high heat, then simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
5. Remove the residue, take the juice, and season with a suitable amount of white sugar or rock sugar.
Precautions for Taking Danshen
1. Do not take in large doses
Danshen has a strong effect of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis. Taking a large dose of Danshen may cause adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal bleeding. The recommended dosage of Danshen is usually 10-15g.
2. Prevent allergic reactions
Some people may experience a series of allergic reactions when taking Danshen, such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, or skin reactions such as itching and urticaria. In severe cases, symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure, and fainting may occur. If you are unsure whether you are allergic to Danshen, you can start with a small dose and observe your own reactions. If there are no discomforts, you can continue taking it. If allergic reactions occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately.
3. Do not take with anticoagulants
Such as aspirin, warfarin, etc. Danshen also has the effect of inhibiting platelet aggregation. Taking it together with these drugs can enhance the anticoagulant effect, which may lead to bleeding.
4. Do not take with Li Lu (Veratrum nigrum)
In traditional Chinese medicine, there is a saying "Shu Shen Xin Shao Pan Li Lu" which means Danshen and Li Lu have opposite properties. Therefore, Danshen and Li Lu should not be taken together as they may produce toxic side effects and affect health.
5. Not suitable for pregnant women
Danshen belongs to the category of herbs that promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis. Taking Danshen during pregnancy may stimulate the blood vessels of the uterus, induce uterine contractions, and may cause miscarriage.
Precautions for Taking Hawthorn
1. Do not drink on an empty stomach
Hawthorn contains a large amount of organic acids, fruit acids, hawthorn acids, etc. Taking it on an empty stomach can increase gastric acid secretion, cause adverse irritation to the gastric mucosa, and lead to bloating, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal discomforts, which is not conducive to gastrointestinal health.
2. Do not eat with pork liver
Pork liver contains trace elements such as copper, iron, and zinc, while hawthorn is rich in vitamin C. Eating them together can accelerate the oxidation and destruction of vitamin C, reducing its nutritional value.
3. Do not eat with fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C-decomposing enzymes
Such as cucumber, pumpkin, carrot, etc. These foods can destroy vitamin C in hawthorn and reduce its nutritional value.
4. Do not eat with seafood
Such as shrimp, crab, sea cucumber, etc. Seafood contains abundant proteins, while hawthorn contains tannic acid. The reaction between them can form tannic acid protein, which can cause constipation and discomforts such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
5. Do not eat with vitamin K
Vitamin K3 is a hemostatic drug, while hawthorn has a certain effect of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis. The combination of the two can reduce the efficacy of hawthorn.
6. Not suitable for pregnant women
Hawthorn has the effect of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, which can stimulate the blood vessels of the uterus and induce uterine contractions. Taking excessive amounts of hawthorn during pregnancy may cause miscarriage.
7. Not suitable for individuals with weak spleen and stomach
Hawthorn contains a large amount of organic acids, fruit acids, and other acidic substances, which can stimulate gastric acid secretion. People with weak spleen and stomach may experience intestinal and gastric irritation after taking hawthorn, leading to discomforts such as stomachache.
