I recently went for a physical examination and the doctor told me that my liver enzymes were a bit high, so I need to retest. I'm a bit worried, and today I heard someone say that Schisandra chinensis can lower liver enzymes. I want to ask if this is true?
Can Schisandra chinensis lower liver enzymes?
Schisandra chinensis can lower liver enzymes to a certain extent.
Liver enzymes are catalysts for the functioning of the liver and serve as an indicator of liver health. When liver cells are inflamed, toxic, or necrotic, the serum liver enzymes in the body will increase.
Schisandra chinensis is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It has a sour and sweet taste and a warm nature. It pertains to the lung, heart, and kidney meridians. It has the effects of astringing and consolidating, replenishing qi and generating fluids, nourishing the kidneys and calming the mind, etc. The active ingredients in Schisandra chinensis can promote liver cell repair and regeneration, inhibit liver damage, or repair damaged liver cells to some extent. It can also inhibit the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and play a role in liver protection, so Schisandra chinensis has a certain effect in lowering liver enzymes.
How long does it take for Schisandra chinensis to lower liver enzymes?
The specific time for effectiveness varies from person to person.
Although Schisandra chinensis has a certain effect in lowering liver enzymes, its effect is limited. Additionally, due to individual differences in physique and absorption of drugs, it is not possible to determine the specific time for effectiveness. It is recommended to consult a doctor for better results when using Schisandra chinensis in combination with other liver-protective drugs under the guidance of a doctor.
How to use Schisandra chinensis to lower liver enzymes?
There are many ways to take Schisandra chinensis, such as soaking in water, making porridge, soaking in wine, and boiling soup. Below are two relatively simple methods of consumption.
Soaking Schisandra chinensis in water
Instructions:
1. Crush the Schisandra chinensis and put it in a cup.
2. Pour boiling water over it.
3. Cover and let it steep for about 15 minutes.
4. You can add more water 2-3 times during this period, and drink it as a substitute for tea.
5. You can also add honey or rock sugar for flavor.
Schisandra chinensis and lean meat soup
Ingredients: 100g lean meat, 10g Schisandra chinensis, 10g Ophiopogon japonicus, 10g Codonopsis pilosula, ginger slices, salt, and chicken powder as needed.
Instructions:
1. Cut the lean meat into small pieces and wash them.
2. Boil water in a pot and blanch the lean meat to remove blood.
3. Remove the blanched lean meat, drain it, and set it aside.
4. Fill a clay pot with water and add the blanched lean meat.
5. Add ginger slices, Schisandra chinensis, Ophiopogon japonicus, and Codonopsis pilosula.
6. Cover the pot and simmer over high heat for about 90 minutes.
7. Finally, add salt and chicken powder for seasoning and serve.
Precautions when using Schisandra chinensis to lower liver enzymes
1. Pay attention to dosage
Schisandra chinensis is a traditional Chinese medicine and has a prescribed dosage. Generally, the recommended dosage of Schisandra chinensis is 2-6 grams. Taking an excessive amount of Schisandra chinensis may cause adverse reactions such as hiccups, acid reflux, stomach pain, burning sensation in the stomach, and drowsiness.
2. Prevent allergies
Some individuals may experience a series of allergic or toxic reactions when taking Schisandra chinensis, such as fever, headache, urticaria, nausea, dry mouth, and even palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. If you are unsure whether you are allergic, you can first drink a small amount of Schisandra chinensis soaked in water and observe for about 1 hour. If there are no discomforts, you can continue to use it.
Tips
People often have various misconceptions about liver enzymes, thinking that an increase in liver enzymes means hepatitis. In fact, liver enzymes are just one of the commonly used indicators for examining liver function in clinical practice. The normal or abnormal levels of liver enzymes do not represent the overall liver function, and the levels of liver enzymes are not directly proportional to the liver function. Therefore, if you find an elevated level of liver enzymes in your body, there is no need to worry too much. Further detailed examinations should be done to determine the cause.
