In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as tea has become a fashion trend. However, pharmacists remind people that while some dried flowers and TCM can be consumed as tea without much harm to the body, others should not be consumed. Let our experts briefly introduce what medicines should not be consumed as tea, hopefully it will be helpful to you!
【Medicines that should not be consumed as tea】
Flos Malvae (Malva Sylvestris)
It has the effects of clearing heat, moistening the lungs, relieving sore throat, and detoxification. It can treat dry cough without phlegm, hoarseness, internal heat, vomiting of blood, toothache, red eyes, hemorrhoids, fistula, and other conditions. It is generally used to treat sudden hoarseness with accompanying symptoms such as cough, thirst, and sore throat, or hoarseness caused by excessive use of voice or shouting.
Many people misunderstand the medicinal effects of Flos Malvae and use it as a health drink for long-term consumption. This not only causes medication waste but also can lead to many adverse reactions, such as spleen and stomach deficiency, poor appetite, loose stools, chest tightness, gradual weight loss, and other harmful effects on the body. The cause of hoarseness can be divided into wind-cold, wind-heat, lung-kidney yin deficiency, and qi stagnation and blood stasis. Flos Malvae is mainly suitable for hoarseness caused by wind-heat evil invading the throat. Therefore, it is absolutely not appropriate to take Flos Malvae without diagnosing the cause of hoarseness. Only by using medication according to the symptoms can significant therapeutic effects be achieved.
Cassia Seed
Although it has the effect 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.
Ginkgo Leaf
It contains toxic components, and brewing tea with it can cause spasms, nerve paralysis, allergies, and other side effects. The commonly seen Chinese medicine preparation, Ginkgo Leaf Tablet, is processed and prepared with Chinese medicine, and its ingredients and medicinal effects are different from ordinary ginkgo leaves.
In addition, brewing tea with dried flowers is not always safe. Drinking wild chrysanthemum tea may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, poor appetite, intestinal rumbling, loose stools, and other digestive reactions in a few people. It is not suitable for those with spleen and stomach deficiency or pregnant women. Experts point out that dried flowers and TCM should not be consumed as dietary supplements. If the dosage is too large or taken for a long time, it may cause toxic side effects. Patients who are currently taking Western medicine should be more cautious when drinking TCM tea because improper combination with Western medicine may cause harm to the body.
