Danshen has the functions of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, regulating menstruation and relieving pain, and calming the mind. It can be used to treat coronary heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions. Many people with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases often use Danshen as a herbal supplement. Does Danshen have any side effects?
Does Danshen have side effects?
Danshen itself has no toxic side effects.
Danshen is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a bitter taste and a slightly cold nature. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, regulating menstruation and relieving pain, calming the mind, and cooling the blood and reducing swelling. It is commonly used to treat chest pain, abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, and dysmenorrhea. Danshen itself does not have obvious toxic side effects, but as a medicinal herb, it can cause a series of side effects if used improperly or by inappropriate individuals.
Excessive consumption of Danshen
Danshen is a medicinal herb with a certain dosage requirement. The recommended dosage of Danshen is usually 10-15 grams, and the recommended dosage for health maintenance is around 3 grams. Due to the strong blood circulation effect of Danshen, it can stimulate blood vessels to some extent. Taking a large dose of Danshen may cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
Long-term use of Danshen
In general, long-term use of Danshen is not recommended. Long-term use of Danshen can lead to a decrease in potassium content in the body. If long-term use is necessary due to the condition, it is recommended to consume foods with a high potassium content, such as potatoes, peanuts, celery, and oranges, during the period of taking Danshen.
Combining Danshen with Chenopodium album
In traditional Chinese medicine, many drugs have contradictory or incompatible effects. The "Eighteen Incompatibilities" in traditional Chinese medicine mentions "various ginsengs and peonies are incompatible with Chenopodium album". Danshen and Chenopodium album have opposite effects, and taking them together can produce toxic side effects, which are harmful to the body. Therefore, during the period of taking Danshen, it is necessary to avoid eating Chenopodium album.
Combining Danshen with anticoagulant drugs
Since Danshen also has the effect of anti-platelet aggregation and reducing blood viscosity, it should not be used with anticoagulant drugs in order to avoid enhancing the anticoagulant effect and causing local bleeding. Common anticoagulant drugs include aspirin and warfarin.
Pregnant women taking Danshen
Pregnant women should not take blood-activating drugs, and Danshen has a strong effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Taking Danshen during pregnancy can stimulate uterine blood vessels, causing uterine contractions, which may lead to threatened miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women should not take Danshen.
People with bleeding taking Danshen
Danshen has a strong blood circulation effect and can stimulate blood vessels. It is not suitable for people with bleeding, especially those with gastrointestinal bleeding. Otherwise, it may cause an increase in bleeding and other adverse reactions.
