In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a tea beverage has become a trend. However, pharmaceutical experts caution that while some dried flowers and TCM can be consumed as tea without major issues, others are not suitable for consumption.
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root has the effects of clearing heat, moistening the lungs, relieving sore throat, and detoxifying. It can treat dry cough without phlegm, hoarseness, internal heat, vomiting of blood, toothache, red eyes, hemorrhoids, and fistula, among other conditions. It is generally used to treat sudden hoarseness accompanied by cough, thirst, and sore throat, or hoarseness caused by excessive use of the voice or shouting.
Many people are unaware of the medicinal effects of marshmallow root and mistakenly consider it a health drink, consuming it regularly. This not only leads to wastage of the medicine but also causes various adverse reactions such as spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, poor appetite, loose stools, chest tightness, and gradual weight loss, which are harmful to the body. The causes of hoarseness include wind-cold, wind-heat, lung and kidney yin deficiency, and qi stagnation and blood stasis. Marshmallow root is mainly suitable for hoarseness caused by wind-heat invading the throat. Therefore, marshmallow root should never be taken without proper diagnosis when experiencing hoarseness. Significant therapeutic effects can only be achieved by using medicine according to the individual's condition.
Cassia Seed
Although it has the function of lowering blood lipid levels, it can also cause diarrhea, which is not beneficial to the body, especially for those with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold.
Ginkgo Leaf
Ginkgo leaf contains toxic components. Brewing it as a tea can cause paroxysmal spasms, nerve paralysis, allergies, and other side effects. The commonly seen TCM preparation, ginkgo leaf extract, is processed differently from ordinary ginkgo leaves and has different components and pharmacological effects.
In addition, brewing dried flowers as tea is not always safe. For example, some individuals may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, poor appetite, intestinal rumbling, and loose stools after drinking wild chrysanthemum tea. People with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold and pregnant women should avoid consuming it. Experts point out that dried flowers and TCM should not be consumed as health supplements. If the dosage is too high or taken for too long, it may lead to toxic side effects. Patients who are currently taking Western medicine should be especially cautious when consuming TCM tea since improper use in combination with Western medicine can be harmful to the body.
