Side effects of Guizhi Gancao Decoction

Cinnamon twig and licorice are actually two more common Chinese herbal medicines, but not many people may know about cinnamon twig and licorice soup. Nowadays, many people like to maintain health by drinking some soup or tea, so it is not surprising that people use cinnamon twig and licorice soup to treat some diseases. Let's learn about the effects, functions and side effects of cinnamon twig and licorice soup.

Effects and efficacy of Guizhi Gancao Decoction

In clinical medicine, Guizhi Gancao Decoction is a relatively common Chinese medicine prescription that can invigorate Qi. Since cinnamon twig and licorice are two of the most common Chinese medicinal materials, it is not surprising that people use Guizhi Gancao Decoction to treat some symptoms.

Guizhi Gancao Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription composed of two herbs: cinnamon twig and licorice. Among these two herbs, cinnamon twig has the effects of harmonizing the circulation of blood, promoting yang, promoting dampness removal, warming yang, removing blood stasis, and softening the liver. Of course, cinnamon twig also has the effect of relieving both the exterior and the interior, but as far as cinnamon twig and licorice decoction is concerned, cinnamon twig only plays the role of regulating the chest yang in this prescription; licorice should be used after roasting in this prescription, so licorice plays the role of invigorating qi in this prescription.

The prescription of Guizhi Gancao Decoction in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases has the function of warming and unblocking the heart yang so that the heart yang can be sufficiently repaired. When the heart yang is repaired, the heart function is restored, the heart fibrillation returns to normal, and symptoms such as palpitations disappear. This is because after the patient is affected by external cold, he sweats too much, which leads to the following symptoms: restlessness and a desire for pressure with his hands crossed. Its essence is caused by damage to heart yang.

Side effects of Guizhi Gancao Decoction

In traditional Chinese medicine, licorice is mostly a guiding drug. It has the function of harmonizing various medicines, and many traditional prescriptions use licorice in combination. Licorice contains many chemical components, but glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid are the main ones. Some snacks currently sold on the market, such as candy, plums, and olives, are prepared with licorice or dipped in licorice, but if you eat licorice for a long time, or eat a lot of licorice, it may have adverse effects.

The medicinal value of licorice has adrenal growth hormone-like effects. Many people who are familiar with licorice know that too much licorice will reduce urine and sodium excretion, and the body will accumulate too much sodium, causing high blood pressure; water storage increases, which will cause edema. In addition, hypokalemia caused by excessive outflow of blood potassium can cause arrhythmia and muscle stiffness. Transmission electron microscopy observations showed that licorice could cause myocardial damage.

Licorice has effects similar to estrogen. Pregnant women taking licorice can cause premature birth. There are clinical reports that children taking glycyrrhizin tablets can cause breast growth. Licorice can reduce the level of testosterone in a man's blood, causing impotence and atrophy of the male testicles and penis.

Taboos of Guizhi Gancao Decoction

The prescription of Guizhi Gancao Decoction in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases has the function of warming and unblocking the heart yang so that the heart yang can be sufficiently repaired. When the heart yang is repaired, the heart function is restored, the heart fibrillation returns to normal, and symptoms such as palpitations disappear. This is because, after being affected by external cold, the patient sweats too much, which causes him to feel restless and want to be pressed with his hands crossed. Its essence is caused by damage to heart yang.

1. Those who like cold, have bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, and have a deep and rapid pulse should avoid it. Heat syndrome is not suitable for hot medicines.

2. Those who have not stopped sweating and have weak and irregular pulse should avoid taking this medicine. Because it is a sign of Qi deficiency and impending collapse, Qi and blood should be replenished to lift the depressed state.

3. It is not suitable for patients with cold limbs, difficulty urinating, or obvious dehydration.

4. This is a severe symptom of Yang deficiency and water retention. This prescription is not strong enough and cannot be used to treat it.

There is a big difference between Guizhi Gancao Decoction and the delicious nourishing soup we usually drink. Guizhi Gancao Decoction is a kind of medicinal soup, which can maintain its medicinal effect and make it drinkable without being difficult to swallow. Friends who have eaten Chinese medicinal materials should know that Chinese medicinal materials are very bitter and difficult to swallow. Therefore, many people now use this kind of health-preserving medicinal diet to combine deliciousness with medicinal efficacy.