Danshen is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb in daily life. It can help alleviate symptoms of hypertension, regulate menstruation, and prevent and treat coronary heart disease. Can pregnant women take Danshen?
Can pregnant women take Danshen?
Pregnant women should not take Danshen.
It is well known that pregnant women should avoid taking blood-activating drugs, and Danshen, with its bitter taste and mild warm nature, has strong blood-activating and stasis-dissipating effects and can relieve pain by promoting blood circulation. However, taking Danshen during pregnancy may stimulate uterine blood vessels, induce uterine contractions, and cause fetal agitation or even miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women should not take Danshen.
Signs of miscarriage caused by taking Danshen during pregnancy
If taking Danshen during pregnancy leads to threatened miscarriage, the following signs may appear.
Vaginal bleeding
Taking a large amount of Danshen during pregnancy may initially result in a small amount of vaginal bleeding. The blood-activating effect of Danshen stimulates the uterus, causing separation of the placenta and uterine wall, leading to dilation of the cervix and blood flowing out of the uterus.
Abdominal pain and discomfort
Due to the stimulation of Danshen on the pregnant uterus, intense contractions of the uterus may occur if taking Danshen leads to threatened miscarriage, resulting in vaginal bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain.
What to do if pregnant women take Danshen
1. Immediately stop taking Danshen
If pregnant women accidentally take Danshen, they should immediately stop taking it, regardless of whether they experience any discomfort, to avoid serious consequences.
2. Observe personal condition
Pregnant women who have taken Danshen, regardless of the amount consumed, should not be careless and should closely observe their own physical condition, such as whether there is abdominal pain and whether there is vaginal bleeding.
3. Seek medical examination
Pregnant women who have taken Danshen, whether or not they experience any discomfort, are advised to seek immediate medical examination of their own condition and the condition of the baby to avoid delaying the best treatment time.
Who else should not take Danshen
1. Individuals allergic to Danshen
Some people may have an allergic reaction to Danshen, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, generalized itching, rash, chest tightness, palpitations, or even fainting and shock. If it is uncertain whether one is allergic, a small amount of Danshen can be taken first, and if there is no discomfort after about an hour, the consumption of Danshen Ganoderma lucidum can continue.
2. Individuals with bleeding disorders
Individuals with bleeding disorders, especially gastrointestinal bleeding, should use Danshen with caution, as Danshen has a strong blood-activating effect that can stimulate blood vessels and may increase bleeding or even cause severe bleeding.
Dietary taboos for pregnant women
1. Avoid taking medication indiscriminately
Medications have complex compositions, and it cannot be guaranteed whether certain ingredients will affect the growth and development of the fetus. Pregnant women must take medication under the guidance of a doctor.
2. Avoid consuming excessively cold foods
Such as cold drinks, persimmons, mangoes, lemons, grapefruits, etc. Cold foods can easily irritate the intestines and stomach of pregnant women, affecting gastrointestinal health and impeding the growth and development of the fetus.
3. Avoid consuming foods high in sugar and fat
Such as puffed snacks, sugar, fried foods, etc. Excessive intake of sugar and fat may increase the risk of gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension, which can greatly increase the risk of complications during childbirth.
4. Avoid drinking alcohol
Alcohol can be passed from the mother to the fetus and excessive alcohol consumption may affect the intellectual and physiological development of the fetus or even cause fetal malformations.
5. Avoid consuming foods containing caffeine
Excessive caffeine intake may affect the growth and development of the fetus, leading to premature birth, low birth weight, or even fetal limb deformities.
