Safely using TCM herbs: Adverse reactions and precautions

Although most people believe that herbal remedies are relatively safe to use, some are toxic or possess adverse reactions, especially when used incorrectly.     

Safely using TCM herbs: Adverse reaction and precautions (Continued)

Chan su (Venenum Bufonis,蟾酥) Its main active and toxic constituent is bufotoxin, which has a function similar to digitalis glycosides. Adverse reactions and toxicity: Chan su, although it is used in patentpreparations, is traditionally known for its toxicity and is seldom used in decoctions. Toxicity is often due to over dosage of the patents, such as Liushenwan (六神丸) and Houzhengwan (喉症丸,). After administration one and a half to two hours, symptoms similar to digitalis toxicity appear, such as nausea, which is often the first indicator of toxicity, anorexia, vomiting, visual disturbances relating to colour vision, headache, weakness, psychosis, arrythmias, slowing of heart rate, AV block, and asystole.Severe cardiac damage is the major cause of death. It has al so been known to promote contraction of the uterus; therefore it should not be used in pregnant women(40,41). One paper has reported 27 cases intoxicated by Liushenwan, inclu ding one fatal(13).     

Safely using TCM Herbs: Adverse reaction and precautions

Xing ren (Semen Armenlacae Amarum, 杏仁) and Tao ren (Semen Persicae, 桃仁) Both are seeds of fruits in Rosaceae. Both contain oils, amygdalin and emullsin.     

Safely using TCM herbs: Adverse reactions and precautions (continued)

Ma huang (Herba Ephedrae,麻黄) In this genus, there are several kinds of Ma huang, commonly used Cao ma huang (Ephedra sinica stapf.) and Mu zei ma huang (E. equisetina Bge.), and both functions and toxin are the same. It China, it is very commonly used to treat asthma, common cold, cough and Yang edema. Its active components are ephedrine alkaloids, which also perhaps mildly suppress the appetite via the CNS hunger center. For this reason, it is mainly used in North America in an attempt to control bodyweight. The amounts of ephedrine alkaloids are 0.481-2.47 % and 2.093-3.05% in Cao ma huang and Mu zei ma huang separately.