In general, TCM herbs are beneficial, regardless of age or gender. However, for certain medical conditions, professional advice from your TCM practitioner is recommended to avoid negative effects. Here, we list 3 common medical conditions that require using TCM herbs with caution.
1. Pregnancy
Herbs that TCM describes as “invigorating the blood circulation (活血药)” such as Niú Xī (牛膝) and Hóng huā (红花), are usually not suitable for pregnant women as these may cause increased contractions of the womb with the risk of miscarriage.
Other herbs that pregnant women should avoid include those that significantly increase the Qi flow, those that are particularly warm in nature, and those that promote release and emission.
However, the above herbs are classified under “use with caution” for pregnant women. This is because while these herbs may pose certain risks, they can still be safely consumed for certain medical conditions, with a TCM practitioners’ prescription.
Another group of TCM herbs, named as “highly restricted”, should be avoided entirely as they may be too strong or may cause adverse side effects for pregnant women. Examples are Bā Dòu (巴豆), Sān Léng (三棱), É Zhú (莪术), Shè Xiāng (麝香).
2. High blood pressure
Most patients with high blood pressure should avoid TCM tonics, as it may increase the blood pressure and risk a stroke. However, in cases where high blood pressure is attributed to insufficiencies in the body, appropriate tonics to replenish the insufficiency can be taken with the prescription of the physician.
3. Cold and fever
It is best to avoid replenishing tonics when having a cold. TCM generally describes cold and flu as being caused by “external pathogenic factors” that enter the body. These external factors need to be expelled from the body in order to recover, similar to how flu viruses need to be eliminated to recover from the flu. Taking tonics for replenishment at this stage encourages the external pathogenic factors to remain in the body and hinders their expulsion.
However, if one catches a cold owing to a weak immune system, certain replenishing tonics can be added to the prescription used to expel the external pathogenic factors. This should be carried out under a TCM practitioner’s direction. Alternatively, tonics can be taken after the person recovers from the cold.
Furthermore, cold and flu can be classified into different syndromes depending on the external pathogenic factor, such as wind cold or wind heat. Wind cold pathogenic factors need to be expelled by warming herbs and wind heat pathogenic factors should be expelled by cooling herbs. Therefore, consumption of cooling teas may not be suitable for every type of cold and flu.
In summary, the herbs that one can take differ according to individual’s unique body type or medical condition. It is important to recognise one’s body constitution or syndrome so as to reap the positive effects of TCM herbs for your health.
如果身体没有什么特殊状况，一般上男女老幼 都适合服用中药。但身体有不适或有特殊状况者则必须谨慎，并建议请教专业医师，切莫乱服药。此文章列下三种常见的用药禁忌。
一，怀孕期间的妇女
此期间一般上不适合服用活血祛瘀药如红花， 牛膝等， 由于此药能使子宫收缩，容易造成流产。行气破滞及辛热滑利药物也应慎用，以防发生事故。然而,在医师的指导下,则可根据病情的需要而使用这组称为妊娠慎用的药物。
另一组孕妇完全该避免的药称妊娠禁用的药物，是妊娠时绝对不能使用的。此药包括毒性较强或药性猛烈的药物，如巴豆，三棱，莪术，麝香等。
二，患高血压者
患高血压者一般上应慎用补品，以免血压升高，导至中风或脑溢血。然而，有些高血压病属于虚证，在此情况下，则须请教医师后才恰当进补。
三，感冒，发烧
此期间服用补药将使病状恶化。原因在于感冒发烧常因身体受了外感邪气。当体内有外邪时，再服补药将助外邪留于体内，妨碍外邪的解散，而加重病情。但若患者是因体虚，免疫功能弱而受外邪，可在医师的指导下在解表药中加入点补药，或感冒愈合后再进补。
感冒也可分寒性，热性等不同证型。风寒感冒需运用温性药物驱散风寒邪气，而风热感冒应使用凉性药物驱散风热外邪。因此不是每次感冒都适合随意喝杯凉茶。
人的体质与病情各有异，可服的中药也不一。应确认自己身体的证型后，才能对证下药。
Comments