Can scorpion, Prunella vulgaris, Forsythia suspensa, and other Chinese herbs be taken together?
Nov 18, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
In general, it may or may not be appropriate to take scorpion (Quanxie), Prunella (Xia Ku Cao), Forsythia (Lian Qiao), and other Chinese herbs together; medical advice should be followed. If any physical discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. It is advised to take medication as directed by a healthcare provider. During treatment with Chinese herbal medicine, the diet should primarily consist of light, easily digestible, and nutritious foods, which is beneficial for recovery.
Generally, it may be possible to take scorpion (Quanxie), Prunella (Xia Kugrass), forsythia (Lianqiao), and other Chinese herbs together, but in some cases it may not be advisable. It is recommended to follow medical advice. If any physical discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is advised. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Can be taken together
Forsythia has a bitter taste and slightly cold nature, which helps dispel wind-heat, detoxify, and reduce swelling. Prunella enters the liver and gallbladder meridians and is beneficial for clearing heat, purging fire, improving vision, and reducing swelling. Scorpion enters the liver meridian and can extinguish wind, stop convulsions, counteract toxins, and resolve nodules. When these herbs are used in combination, they generally help resolve nodules and reduce swelling, and can be used to treat conditions such as sores, abscesses, and breast inflammation. They may also provide some improvement for symptoms like red, swollen eyes and muscle spasms.
2. Should not be taken together
Many traditional Chinese herbs contain certain toxic components, and scorpion itself is toxic. Randomly combining scorpion, Prunella, forsythia, and other Chinese herbs may lead to poisoning, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, numbness of the lips, and limb convulsions. Therefore, in such cases, one must pay close attention to contraindications for herbal use.
It is recommended to take medication under medical supervision. During treatment with Chinese herbal medicine, diet should primarily consist of light, easily digestible, and nutritionally rich foods, which benefit recovery. Spicy, irritating, and excessively greasy foods should be avoided to prevent interference with the effectiveness of the medication.
