Can Danshen and Lingzhi be brewed together?
Yes, they can.
Danshen and Lingzhi both have high medicinal value and are commonly used health herbs in people's lives. Danshen has a bitter taste and a slightly cold nature. It enters the liver and heart meridians and has the effects of promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, regulating menstruation, relieving pain, cooling blood, and reducing swelling. Lingzhi has a warm nature and a mild taste. It has the function of nourishing and strengthening the body. Both Danshen and Lingzhi have no obvious toxic side effects, and their properties and effects do not conflict with each other. Therefore, Danshen and Lingzhi can be brewed together.
Benefits of brewing Danshen and Lingzhi together
Blood circulation and pain relief
Danshen has the effects of promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, and regulating menstruation, which can promote blood circulation, maintain smooth blood vessels, and assist in the treatment of menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, poor blood circulation, and injuries caused by falls and blows.
Nourishing the heart and calming the mind
Danshen has the effects of nourishing the heart and calming the mind, and its active ingredients have a certain sedative effect on the central nervous system. Therefore, brewing Danshen and Lingzhi together can help improve sleep and relieve neurasthenic insomnia to a certain extent.
Nourishing the five viscera
Lingzhi is the only known herb that enters the kidney, liver, heart, spleen, and lung meridians. Lingzhi has the function of nourishing and strengthening the body, and it can nourish the Qi of the five viscera, making it beneficial for weak conditions of the liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Drinking Danshen and Lingzhi brewed together can help nourish the five viscera and enhance physical fitness.
Protecting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health
Danshen has the effect of promoting blood circulation and can dilate the blood vessels of the heart and brain, increase the blood flow in the coronary arteries, and improve microcirculation and reduce blood viscosity. The red Ganoderma lucidum extract in Lingzhi can enhance cardiac contraction, counteract acute myocardial ischemia, and inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots. Therefore, brewing Danshen and Lingzhi together can protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health, prevent coronary heart disease, and assist in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and hypertension.
Enhancing immune function
Lingzhi has immune-regulating effects, and its active ingredients can increase the number and enhance the function of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Therefore, drinking Danshen and Lingzhi brewed together can help improve immune function.
Delaying aging
The polysaccharides in Lingzhi can inhibit the production of free radicals and lipid peroxidation in red blood cells, and to some extent, help eliminate hydroxyl radicals and delay aging.
How to brew Danshen and Lingzhi together
Ingredients: 6g Danshen, 10g Lingzhi.
Method:
1. Wash and slice Danshen and Lingzhi.
2. Put Danshen and Lingzhi into a teapot.
3. Add an appropriate amount of water.
4. Boil with high heat, then simmer for about 20-30 minutes.
5. Filter the residue and drink the juice.
Precautions for drinking Danshen and Lingzhi brewed together
1. Do not use excessive amounts
The recommended medicinal dosage of Danshen is 10-15g, and the dosage of Lingzhi is 10-30g. Although both herbs have no obvious toxic side effects, excessive dosage should be avoided. Large doses of Danshen, due to its strong blood circulation properties, may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding.
2. Potassium supplementation for long-term use
Danshen has strong blood circulation and stasis resolving effects. Long-term use of Danshen may lower blood potassium levels. Therefore, if you drink Danshen and Lingzhi brewed water for a long time, it is recommended to eat foods high in potassium, such as bananas, oranges, peanuts, and potatoes.
3. Do not take with anticoagulant drugs
Such as aspirin, warfarin, etc. Danshen also has antiplatelet aggregation effects. Taking it together with other anticoagulant drugs will enhance the anticoagulant effect and may cause bleeding.
4. Do not take with Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata
In the "Eighteen Incompatibilities of Traditional Chinese Medicine", it is mentioned that "various ginsengs, including Danshen, are incompatible with Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata". Danshen and Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata taken together can produce toxic side effects, so it is not recommended to take Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata when drinking Danshen and Lingzhi brewed water.
Contraindications for drinking Danshen and Lingzhi brewed water
1. Pregnant women should use with caution
Danshen has a strong blood circulation and stasis resolving effect, which can stimulate uterine blood vessels and cause uterine contractions. Drinking Danshen and Lingzhi brewed water during pregnancy may cause miscarriage.
2. Allergy sufferers should use with caution
Some people may be allergic to Danshen or Lingzhi, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, itching all over the body, rash, and even chest tightness, palpitations, fainting, and shock. If you are unsure if you are allergic, you can start with a small amount and observe for about an hour. If there are no adverse reactions, you can continue to drink Danshen and Lingzhi brewed water.
