Danshen is a common traditional Chinese medicinal herb with high medicinal value. It is commonly used as a health care herb for patients with coronary heart disease and hypertension. Tea is a popular green beverage. Can Danshen be consumed with tea?
Can Danshen be consumed with tea?
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, relieving blood stasis, regulating menstruation, alleviating pain, and calming the mind. Tea contains caffeine and polyphenols, which can help dilate blood vessels and prevent arteriosclerosis. It has similar effects to Danshen, and can enhance the blood circulation and menstruation-regulating effects of Danshen. Therefore, Danshen can be consumed with tea.
The effects of consuming Danshen and tea together
Preventing and treating coronary heart disease
Danshen has the effect of promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, which can help dilate blood vessels and maintain cardiovascular health. Its component, tanshinone, can improve microcirculation, prevent myocardial ischemia, and prevent arteriosclerosis, thus alleviating angina pectoris to a certain extent. The caffeine in tea can also help dilate blood vessels and enhance the function of capillaries, so consuming Danshen and tea together can have a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on coronary heart disease.
Lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels
The tanshinone in Danshen can affect the body's metabolism and regulate blood sugar levels. It can also inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce blood viscosity. Danshensu and rosmarinic acid, components of Danshen, have certain anti-lipid peroxidation effects and can reduce blood lipid levels to a certain extent. The polyphenols in tea have the effects of lowering blood lipids and blood sugar, and can effectively prevent and treat conditions such as elevated cholesterol and atherosclerosis. Therefore, consuming Danshen and tea together can have a certain effect in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Regulating menstruation
Danshen has a strong blood circulation and blood stasis-relieving effect, which can promote blood circulation and maintain smooth blood vessels. Consuming Danshen and tea together can be used for conditions such as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and poor blood circulation caused by blood stasis.
Relieving fatigue
The antioxidants and vitamin C in green tea can release hormones that counteract stress and tension. The small amount of caffeine in tea can stimulate the central nervous system and invigorate the mind. Therefore, consuming Danshen and tea together can help relieve fatigue.
Beauty and skincare
The blood circulation-promoting effect of Danshen can improve facial blood circulation. Its components, tanshinone, salvianic acid, protocatechuic acid, and protocatechualdehyde, have antioxidant properties and can remove free radicals, improving skin quality. The polyphenols in tea have strong antioxidant and physiological activities, acting as scavengers of free radicals in the body. They can help remove oiliness from facial skin and shrink pores. Therefore, consuming Danshen and tea together can have a beautifying and skincare effect.
How to consume Danshen and tea together
1. Take 10 grams of Danshen and grind it into coarse powder, then put it into a tea bag.
2. Add about 3 grams of green tea and tie the tea bag tightly.
3. Put the tea cup in a cup and pour boiling water into it.
4. Cover and let it steep for about 15 minutes, then drink as a substitute for tea.
5. It can be brewed multiple times.
Precautions when consuming Danshen and tea together
1. Do not consume excessive amounts
When consuming Danshen and green tea together, the amount of Danshen should not be excessive. The recommended medicinal dosage of Danshen is generally 10-30 grams. Excessive consumption may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding due to the strong blood circulation-promoting effect of Danshen.
2. Not recommended for long-term consumption
In general, it is not recommended to consume Danshen and tea together for a long period of time. Danshen is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that needs to be metabolized by the liver and kidneys. Long-term consumption is not conducive to the health of the liver and kidneys. Furthermore, long-term use of Danshen may cause low blood potassium levels, leading to symptoms such as numbness and weakness in the limbs, nausea, and vomiting. It is recommended to consume potassium-rich foods such as bananas, potatoes, and celery during the period of consumption.
3. Not recommended to be consumed with Lilu
In traditional Chinese medicine, there is a saying that "various ginsengs and peonies counteract Liliu". Danshen and Lilu have opposite medicinal properties, so they should not be consumed together as they may produce toxic side effects.
4. Not recommended to be consumed with anticoagulants
Danshen has the effect of inhibiting platelet aggregation. Consuming it with anticoagulants such as aspirin and warfarin can enhance the anticoagulant effect, leading to bleeding. Therefore, it is not advisable to take anticoagulant drugs during the period of consuming Danshen and green tea.
Contraindications for consuming Danshen and tea together
1. Pregnant women should not consume it
Danshen is a blood circulation-promoting herb with a strong blood circulation effect, and it has a certain stimulating effect on uterine blood vessels, which can cause uterine contractions. Consuming Danshen and green tea during pregnancy may cause threatened miscarriage.
2. Patients with bleeding disorders
Danshen has a strong blood circulation and blood stasis-relieving effect, which can stimulate blood vessels. It is not suitable for patients with bleeding disorders to consume Danshen and green tea, as it may increase bleeding.
3. People with allergies should use it with caution
Some individuals may be allergic to Danshen. After taking Danshen, they may experience symptoms such as generalized itching, urticaria, and even chest tightness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. It is recommended for individuals with allergic tendencies to consume a small amount first and observe their reactions. If there are no adverse reactions, they can continue consumption.
