Can Danshen be taken with brown sugar?
Yes, it can.
Danshen is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a bitter taste and a slightly cold nature. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, regulating menstruation, relieving pain, clearing the mind, and cooling the blood to eliminate abscesses.
Brown sugar is made from concentrated sugarcane juice and has a sweet and warm nature. It can nourish the heart and lungs, aid digestion, soothe the liver, promote blood circulation, and the two can be taken together without any conflict in medicinal properties. In fact, they have similar therapeutic effects. Therefore, Danshen can be taken with brown sugar.
The effects and benefits of Danshen and brown sugar
Regulating blood circulation and menstruation
Danshen has a bitter taste and a slightly cold nature. It can promote blood circulation, dissolve blood stasis, and regulate menstruation. It can improve blood circulation and maintain smooth blood vessels. Brown sugar can nourish Qi and blood, relieve pain, and help promote blood circulation. The combination of Danshen and brown sugar can be used to treat menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea caused by blood stasis.
Protecting the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system
Danshen and brown sugar both have the effect of promoting blood circulation and dissolving stasis. Taking them together can promote blood circulation, maintain smooth blood vessels, and reduce blood viscosity. The active ingredients in Danshen can lower blood pressure, inhibit arteriosclerosis, and improve microcirculation. Therefore, the combination of Danshen and brown sugar can be beneficial for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and coronary heart disease.
Beauty and skincare
Danshen contains compounds such as salvianolic acid, salvianone, and protocatechuic aldehyde, which have antioxidant properties and can improve skin quality. Brown sugar contains various vitamins and antioxidants, which can resist free radicals, maintain normal cell function and metabolism, and promote blood circulation. The trace elements and folic acid in brown sugar can increase blood volume and help nourish and moisturize the skin. The combination of Danshen and brown sugar can help nourish the skin and delay aging.
Moderating medicinal properties
Danshen has a slightly cold nature, while brown sugar has a warm nature. They can moderate each other's properties and prevent damage to the spleen and stomach caused by Danshen's cold nature. Danshen's cold nature can also moderate the warm and dry nature of brown sugar, preventing excessive internal heat.
Improving taste
Danshen has a bitter taste that not everyone can tolerate. Brown sugar contains various sugars such as glucose and fructose, which can help improve the taste of Danshen and make it more palatable.
How to take Danshen with brown sugar
Danshen and brown sugar tea
Ingredients: 30g Danshen, brown sugar as needed.
Method:
1. Wash and slice the Danshen, and put it into a pot.
2. Add an appropriate amount of water and bring it to a boil.
3. Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes.
4. Take the herbal decoction, add brown sugar, and stir until dissolved.
5. Drink 1-2 times daily.
Danshen porridge
Ingredients: 100g glutinous rice, 15g Danshen, 10g jujube, brown sugar as needed.
Method:
1. Put Danshen in a pot.
2. Add water and boil for about 30 minutes. Strain to obtain the herbal decoction.
3. Add jujube and glutinous rice to the herbal decoction.
4. Continue to cook for about 30 minutes until the porridge is cooked.
5. Add brown sugar and stir until dissolved.
6. Cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Eat once in the morning and evening.
Precautions when taking Danshen with brown sugar
1. Do not exceed the recommended dosage
The recommended dosage of Danshen is usually 10-30g. Excessive dosage should be avoided because Danshen has a strong blood circulation effect, and taking too much may cause gastrointestinal bleeding. There is no strict dosage requirement for brown sugar, and it can be taken in moderation.
2. Do not take with Lihelu (a type of medicinal herb)
According to traditional Chinese medicine, Danshen and Lihelu have opposite medicinal properties. Therefore, they should not be taken together as it may cause toxic side effects.
3. Do not take with anticoagulants
Danshen has the ability to inhibit platelet aggregation. Taking it with anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin and warfarin can enhance the anticoagulant effect, leading to bleeding.
4. Long-term use is not recommended
Long-term use of Danshen is not recommended. It can cause a decrease in blood potassium levels. During the period of taking Danshen, it is advisable to consume foods high in potassium, such as oranges, bananas, and celery, to replenish potassium.
Contraindications for taking Danshen with brown sugar
Not suitable for pregnant women
Danshen has a strong blood circulation effect and can stimulate uterine contractions, which may cause threatened miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid taking Danshen.
Caution for people with high blood sugar
Brown sugar contains a lot of sugar substances that are easily absorbed by the body. Drinking Danshen with brown sugar may lead to an increase in blood sugar levels, causing dizziness and blurred vision.
