Can normal elderly people take Xuesaitong?

Under normal circumstances, healthy elderly individuals are not advised to take Xuesaitong. Xuesaitong is a traditional Chinese medicine whose main active ingredient is total saponins of Panax notoginseng. It has effects such as promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and unblocking meridians. It is commonly used to treat conditions such as hemiplegia and cerebral obstruction caused by blood vessel blockage in the brain, as well as coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and angina pectoris. Generally speaking, healthy elderly people should not take this medication, as it may place a certain burden on the liver and cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. After taking it, adverse reactions such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and acid reflux may occur. Moreover, elderly individuals typically have lower resistance, and taking the drug without medical need may lead to other unwanted side effects. Therefore, it is not recommended for healthy elderly individuals to take Xuesaitong.

If a patient requires Xuesaitong, it should be taken only under the guidance of a physician to avoid self-medication that could lead to discomfort. During treatment, adequate rest and sufficient sleep should be maintained, and prolonged熬夜 (staying up late) should be avoided. It is also advisable to consume fresh vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, cantaloupe, and kiwifruit appropriately, which helps provide essential nutrients needed by the body.