Who should not take An Gong Niu Huang Wan?
Dec 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
An Gong Niu Huang Wan is a traditional Chinese medicine used for emergency treatment. It has a strong cold nature and is not suitable for everyone. Those who should avoid taking it include individuals with deficiency-cold constitution, pregnant women, those with weak spleen and stomach, patients with impaired liver or kidney function, and people allergic to its ingredients. When using this medicine, attention must be paid to contraindications and precautions, and it should be taken strictly according to medical instructions to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Angong Niuhuang Pill is a traditional Chinese medicine used for emergency treatment. It has a cold and potent nature, and is not suitable for everyone. Those who should avoid taking it include individuals with deficiency-cold constitution, pregnant women, those with weak spleen and stomach, impaired liver or kidney function, and those allergic to its ingredients. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Individuals with deficiency-cold constitution: These people often experience symptoms such as sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet, loose stools, and a white, greasy tongue coating. Angong Niuhuang Pill is inherently cold in nature; taking it may increase internal coldness, worsen deficiency-cold symptoms, and potentially cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.
2. Pregnant women: The formulation contains ingredients such as musk and borneol. Musk promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation, which may adversely affect the fetus. Without strict evaluation by a physician, pregnant women should avoid taking this medicine to prevent complications such as fetal restlessness.
3. Individuals with weak spleen and stomach: Those with spleen and stomach deficiency typically have poor digestion, manifested as poor appetite, abdominal distension, and indigestion. The cold-natured components in Angong Niuhuang Pill can impair the yang energy of the spleen and stomach, increase digestive burden, and lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.
4. Individuals with impaired liver or kidney function: The medicine contains ingredients like cinnabar and realgar, which must be metabolized and eliminated through the liver and kidneys. Patients with compromised liver or kidney function have reduced metabolic capacity, increasing the risk of drug accumulation in the body, potentially worsening organ damage and causing adverse reactions.
5. Individuals allergic to any ingredient: Some people are allergic to components such as buffalo gallstone, musk, or cinnabar. After ingestion, they may develop allergic reactions such as skin itching, rashes, or difficulty breathing. Such individuals must strictly avoid taking this medicine.
When using Angong Niuhuang Pill, attention should also be paid to contraindications and precautions. Medication should be taken strictly under medical supervision to ensure safety and effectiveness.
