I recently planned to soak danshen in medicinal wine, but the clerk at the pharmacy recommended adding some cistanche into it. I would like to ask if danshen and cistanche can be soaked in wine together?
Can Danshen and Cistanche be Soaked in Wine?
Yes, they can.
Danshen has a bitter taste and a slightly cold nature. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, generating new blood, activating blood, and regulating menstruation. Cistanche is sweet, salty, and warm, and it enters the kidney and large intestine meridians. It has the effects of nourishing the kidney and replenishing essence, as well as lubricating the intestines and promoting bowel movements. Alcohol has the function of relaxing meridians, promoting blood circulation, and warming and unblocking meridians. It also has the characteristic of enhancing the efficacy of drugs and facilitating their upward movement. Therefore, danshen and cistanche can be soaked in wine to enhance their original therapeutic effects.
What are the Benefits of Soaking Danshen and Cistanche in Wine?
Blood Circulation and Menstrual Regulation
Danshen has the effect of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis. It can help dilate blood vessels, warm the meridians, and maintain blood circulation. It can be used to treat menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, rheumatic pain, and bruises caused by blood stasis.
Nourishing the Heart and Calming the Mind
Danshen has a slightly cold nature and can clear the heart and relieve restlessness. Its active ingredients have a certain sedative and analgesic effect on the central nervous system, which can help improve sleep disorders and symptoms of neurasthenic insomnia.
Protecting Cardiovascular Health
Danshen has a strong blood circulation effect. It can to some extent dilate the cardiovascular system and reduce resistance. Its active ingredients can also help improve microcirculation and reduce blood viscosity, thereby protecting the cardiovascular system and assisting in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
Warming the Kidney and Strengthening Yang
Cistanche has the effect of warming the kidney and strengthening yang. It contains rich alkaloids, amino acids, vitamins, and other nutrients, which can help warm the kidney yang and nourish essence and blood. It can assist in the treatment of kidney yang deficiency symptoms such as nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, impotence, infertility in men, and infertility and menstrual disorders in women.
Lubricating the Intestines and Promoting Bowel Movements
Cistanche has the effect of lubricating dryness and smoothing the intestines. It can inhibit the absorption of water by the large intestine, promote the peristalsis of the small intestine, and facilitate the excretion of feces. Therefore, drinking cistanche soaked in wine can assist in the treatment of chronic constipation and elderly constipation.
Relieving Fatigue
Cistanche can relieve the decrease in testosterone caused by fatigue, promote pituitary secretion, and accelerate physical recovery. It can also help increase glycogen reserves and provide energy needed during muscle exercise. Therefore, drinking cistanche soaked in wine can quickly help restore physical strength and relieve fatigue after exercise.
Recipe for Soaking Danshen and Cistanche in Wine
Ingredients: 30g of danshen, 20g of cistanche, 20g of goji berries, and about 500ml of 50-60 degree white wine.
1. Put danshen, cistanche, and goji berries into a glass bottle.
2. Pour in white wine.
3. Seal the bottle, shake well, and place it in a cool place.
4. After 15-30 days, it can be opened and consumed.
5. Take 10-20ml at a time, 1-2 times a day, after meals.
Precautions for Drinking Danshen and Cistanche Soaked in Wine
1. Avoid excessive consumption
It is generally recommended to drink 10-15ml of danshen and cistanche soaked in wine at a time, 2 times a day. Because danshen has a strong blood circulation and blood stasis resolving effect, excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Cistanche is a warm medicinal herb, and excessive consumption may cause symptoms of excessive internal heat. In addition, excessive alcohol can damage the stomach, intestines, and liver.
2. Avoid using with Artemisia
According to traditional Chinese medicine, danshen and Artemisia have opposite properties. Therefore, they should not be used together, as this may cause toxic side effects and affect health. Therefore, danshen and cistanche soaked in wine should not be consumed together with Artemisia.
3. Avoid using with anticoagulant drugs
Danshen has the function of inhibiting platelet aggregation. Using it together with anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin and warfarin can enhance the anticoagulant effect, which may lead to bleeding. Therefore, anticoagulant drugs should not be taken during the period of consuming danshen and cistanche soaked in wine.
Contraindications for Drinking Danshen and Cistanche Soaked in Wine
1. Pregnant women should not consume it
Danshen has a strong blood circulation effect and can stimulate uterine blood vessels, causing uterine contractions. Drinking danshen and cistanche soaked in wine during pregnancy may lead to miscarriage, and excessive alcohol can affect fetal intellectual development.
2. People with kidney yin deficiency
Cistanche is a medicinal herb that warms and nourishes kidney yang. Drinking danshen and cistanche soaked in wine may exacerbate symptoms of heat in the hands, feet, and heart, excessive dreaming during sleep, and a red tongue with little coating in people with kidney yin deficiency.
3. People with spleen deficiency and diarrhea
Cistanche has a certain lubrication and bowel movement promoting effect. People with spleen deficiency and diarrhea may worsen their diarrhea symptoms by consuming danshen and cistanche soaked in wine.
4. People with hypertension
People with hypertension should avoid drinking alcohol, as alcohol can stimulate blood vessels and cause vasoconstriction. Consumption of alcohol may directly increase blood pressure in people with hypertension.
