Precautions for Chinese medicine: Remember the 15 improper uses

Some patients think that "long illness makes one a doctor" and have some understanding of the disease they suffer from, so they follow the prescription and use Chinese medicine according to the method; some patients are too superstitious about folk remedies and get poisoned; and some Chinese patent medicine manufacturing and sales units, for the sake of economic benefits, ignore the introduction and guidance of the drug's toxic and side effects in publicity, and patients believe in advertisements too much, which leads to adverse reactions.

1. Some Chinese medicines contain toxic ingredients, such as aconite in aconite, which has therapeutic effects when used in small doses, but excessive doses or improper use can cause poisoning;

2. Some Chinese medicines do not contain toxic ingredients, but taking them in excess can also cause poisoning. For example, taking too much cinnamon can cause hematuria.

3. Improper medication based on syndrome differentiation, such as giving asarum and cinnamon to patients with hyperactivity of liver yang, is like adding fuel to the fire;

4. The source of Chinese medicine is inappropriate. For example, mistletoe is not poisonous, but mistletoe parasitic on poisonous plants will contain corresponding toxic ingredients.

5. Some medicinal materials are not processed or processed improperly. For example, processed French pinellia has no toxicity, but raw pinellia is toxic.

6. Improper decoction of Chinese medicine. It is generally believed that insufficient decoction time may cause toxic reactions;

7. Misuse of Chinese medicine is very dangerous. For example, if you use Perennial Cortex Acanthopanacis as Acanthopanax Cortex, digitalis-like poisoning may occur.

8. Contaminated or spoiled Chinese medicine;

9. Improper route of medication, such as using Chinese medicine injections intended for intramuscular injections for intravenous injections;

10. Taking the medicine for too long. For example, if the yellow flower oleander contains cardiac glycosides, long-term use will cause digitalis-like cumulative poisoning reaction;

11. Some Chinese medicines can produce chemical reactions with each other. If they are not used properly, adverse reactions will occur. For example, Veratrum should not be used at the same time as tonic medicines such as ginseng.