Can Huoshan Iron皮 Stone斛 (Dendrobium) lower uric acid levels?
Disease description:
My uric acid level is a bit high, and I heard that Huoshan Dendrobium (Huo Shan Tie Pi Shi Hu) can help lower uric acid. I was just wondering, is this effect real? Is it reliable to use this herb to reduce uric acid?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Under normal circumstances, Dendrobium huoshanense cannot lower uric acid levels.
Uric acid is the final product of purine metabolism in the human body. Excessively high levels may be associated with diseases such as gout, nephritis, and renal tuberculosis. When too much uric acid is produced in the body, it can lead to hyperuricemia, which may in turn trigger conditions like gout. Dendrobium huoshanense is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine containing various pharmacologically active components such as polysaccharides, alkaloids, and flavonoids. It is believed to have functions including immune enhancement, anti-fatigue, and antioxidant effects, but these functions do not include lowering uric acid levels.
Main approaches to lowering uric acid include drug therapy, dietary control, and lifestyle adjustments. Drug therapy typically involves medications that inhibit uric acid synthesis or promote uric acid excretion; dietary management should limit intake of high-purine foods and increase water intake to promote uric acid excretion; lifestyle adjustments emphasize alcohol abstinence, weight loss, and regular physical activity.
Before using any traditional Chinese herbs, it is important to consult a qualified TCM practitioner to avoid self-medication and ensure both efficacy and safety.
