Guanmu Tong is a herb that clears heat and eliminates fire. It is mainly harvested in autumn and winter. After removing the coarse skin, it can be used after drying. It has the effects of clearing the heart fire, promoting urination, and relieving menstrual pain and lactation. Although Guanmu Tong has high medicinal value, it is also highly toxic. Therefore, we need to have a detailed understanding of the toxicity of Guanmu Tong!
[Symptoms of Guanmu Tong Poisoning]
The toxic component in Guanmu Tong is aristolochic acid, which can cause acute renal failure and even death if taken in excessive amounts.
Symptoms of poisoning: abdominal discomfort, followed by vomiting, headache, chest tightness, abdominal distension and pain, diarrhea, facial swelling, frequent urination, urgency, gradually followed by generalized edema, and mental confusion, etc.
Causes of poisoning: excessive or prolonged use. Therefore, it must be used strictly according to the prescribed dosage and usage.
Treatment of poisoning: gastric lavage, enema. According to reports, early administration of adrenal corticosteroids can delay the progression of the disease. Timely blood dialysis can achieve favorable treatment opportunities and effects.
For patients with significantly impaired renal function and end-stage renal disease, replacement therapy such as kidney transplantation is required.
[Contraindications for Taking Guanmu Tong]
Guanmu Tong should not be used by patients with kidney disease, pregnant women, and newborns. Children and the elderly should generally not use it. This product should not be used for a long time, and renal function should be regularly checked.
Guanmu Tong is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine with the function of clearing heat and eliminating dampness. It used to be the main ingredient in the widely used Chinese patent medicine Long Dan Xie Gan Wan.
However, Guanmu Tong contains aristolochic acid, which has strong toxicity to the kidneys and can damage renal tubular function, leading to renal failure. Because of the close relationship between the three, although the names of the events may vary, they refer to almost the same thing.
It should be used with caution in individuals without damp-heat and pregnant women. Excessive use of this product can cause acute renal failure and even death.
[Pharmacological Actions of Guanmu Tong]
1. Guanmu Tong contains aristolochic acid A, which has a significant hypertensive effect.
2. Aristolochic acid A can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, that is, it has anti-tumor effects.
3. Guanmu Tong has a diuretic effect.
4. Aristolochic acid A has excitatory effects on isolated rabbit intestines, in situ rabbit intestines, and in situ cat uteri.
5. Aristolochic acid A enhances the phagocytic function of phagocytes and improves cellular immune function.
