Danshen and Goji berries are both herbal remedies that are popular among middle-aged and elderly people. Both have certain health benefits for middle-aged and elderly people. So, can Danshen and Goji berries be soaked together and consumed as a drink?
Can Danshen and Goji berries be soaked together?
Yes, they can.
Danshen is a common Chinese medicinal herb with a bitter taste and a slightly cold nature. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, promoting new cell growth, and regulating menstruation. Goji berries are also a medicinal herb that can be consumed as food. They have a sweet taste and a neutral nature. They can nourish the liver and kidneys, nourish essence and improve eyesight. Both Danshen and Goji berries have no obvious toxic or side effects, and their properties and effects do not conflict with each other. Therefore, Danshen and Goji berries can be soaked together and consumed as a drink.
The benefits of soaking Danshen and Goji berries together
Promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation
Danshen has the effects of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and regulating menstruation. It can promote the circulation of meridians and blood in the human body, help maintain smooth blood vessels, and improve conditions such as menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, rheumatic pain, and swelling and pain from injuries.
Nourishes the heart and calms the mind
Danshen has the effects of nourishing the heart and calming the mind. Its active ingredients can help calm the central nervous system, assist in sleep, and improve sleep disorders and insomnia caused by neurasthenia.
Nourishes the liver and improves eyesight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the liver is related to eyesight, and the kidneys are the main organs related to eyesight. The strength of the liver and kidneys is closely related to vision. Goji berries can nourish the liver and kidneys, nourish essence, and improve eyesight. They can be used to treat symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, and visual impairment caused by liver and kidney deficiency and deficiency of essence and blood. Goji berries are also rich in beta-carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A in the human body. Vitamin A can generate retinol, which helps improve vision.
Reduces blood sugar and blood lipid levels
Danshen has a strong blood circulation effect and can dilate blood vessels to a certain extent, reducing the resistance of the cardiovascular system. The active ingredients in Danshen, such as salvianolic acid and rosmarinic acid, have anti-lipid peroxidation effects and can reduce blood lipid levels to a certain extent. Goji berries contain polysaccharides that can help inhibit the increase of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body, reduce blood lipid levels, and improve the antioxidant capacity of pancreatic islet cells, protecting the pancreas and preventing diabetes. Therefore, soaking Danshen and Goji berries together can help reduce blood sugar and blood lipid levels.
Prevents and treats coronary heart disease
Danshen has the effects of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. It can dilate blood vessels, increase blood flow to the coronary arteries, and prevent myocardial ischemia. The active ingredients in Danshen can also help improve microcirculation and reduce blood viscosity, to a certain extent, preventing and treating coronary heart disease.
Boosts the immune system
The polysaccharides in Goji berries can help enhance the number and vitality of macrophages in the body, strengthen the immune function of immune cells, and improve the body's ability to resist diseases.
Precautions when soaking Danshen and Goji berries together
1. Do not consume excessive amounts
It is generally recommended to use 10-15 grams of Danshen and consume about 20 grams of Goji berries per day. Excessive consumption should be avoided. Danshen has a strong blood circulation effect, and taking large doses of Danshen may cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Goji berries have a strong nourishing effect, and excessive consumption may cause internal heat.
2. Potassium supplementation for long-term consumption of Danshen
Long-term consumption of Danshen can cause potassium loss and decrease blood potassium levels. Therefore, if Danshen is consumed for a long period of time, it is recommended to eat foods high in potassium, such as bananas, oranges, peanuts, and potatoes.
3. Avoid concomitant use with Lepidium apetalum
When soaking Danshen and Goji berries together, it is advisable to avoid taking Lepidium apetalum. According to the "Eighteen Incompatibilities" in traditional Chinese medicine, Danshen and Lepidium apetalum have opposite properties and their combined use may cause toxic side effects and affect the body.
4. Avoid concomitant use with anticoagulants
Anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin and warfarin should be avoided when consuming Danshen and Goji berries together. Danshen also has antiplatelet aggregation effects, and taking it together with anticoagulant drugs may enhance the therapeutic effect and may cause bleeding.
Contraindications for consuming Danshen and Goji berries soaked together
1. Pregnant women should not consume them
Danshen is a blood circulation-promoting and blood-stasis-removing herb. It has a certain stimulating effect on uterine blood vessels and can induce uterine contractions, which may lead to miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid consuming Danshen and Goji berries soaked together.
2. People with spleen deficiency and diarrhea should be cautious
Goji berries have a strong nourishing effect and are not easily absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. People with spleen deficiency and diarrhea may experience aggravated symptoms such as abdominal distension, diarrhea, and loose stools when consuming Goji berries.
Specific steps for soaking Danshen and Goji berries together
Ingredients: 6 grams of Danshen, 10 grams of Goji berries.
Steps:
1. Wash the Danshen and Goji berries.
2. Put the Danshen and Goji berries in a teapot.
3. Add an appropriate amount of water.
4. Boil with high heat, then simmer for about 20-30 minutes.
5. Filter out the residue and drink the liquid.
