【Disclaimer】The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical treatment offline.
Aunt Wang has been feeling weak and sore in her back recently. She heard from a neighbor that there is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine called "Guan Mu Tong" that is very effective and can "activate the meridians". Aunt Wang had the mentality of giving it a try and went to a nearby Chinese medicine store to buy some.
After taking it for a few days, Aunt Wang had symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. She hurriedly went to the hospital for examination, and the doctor's face changed greatly after reading her medication records: "Why are you still taking Guan Mutong?" This traditional Chinese medicine has long been banned!"
Aunt Wang looked dazed: "Isn't this a good medicine to condition the body?" How can it be disabled?"
The doctor sighed and patiently explained, "Guan Mutong was indeed once considered to be a good medicine for blindly 'opening meridians and activating the meridians'. However, studies in recent years have shown that it contains aristolochic acid, which can cause serious damage to the kidneys when taken for a long time, and may even cause cancer. "
Aunt Wang was shocked into a cold sweat after hearing this, and hurriedly asked what to do. The doctor advised her to stop the medication immediately and undergo a full examination to assess whether any harm had been done.
This real-life case reveals a troubling truth: not all traditional Chinese medicine is safe and harmless. With the deepening of medical research, some Chinese herbal medicines, which were once regarded as "holy medicines", are gradually revealing their "toxic" colors.
In addition to Guan Mutong, another traditional Chinese medicine banned by the National Pharmacopoeia is Aristolochia. Both herbs contain aristolochic acid, a substance that causes tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis, and in severe cases, uremia. What's even more terrifying is that aristolochic acid is also carcinogenic and may induce urothelial cancer.
Professor Zhang of China Pharmaceutical University found in a study that long-term use of traditional Chinese medicine containing aristolochic acid is 100 times the risk of urothelial carcinoma in the normal population. This astonishing data has aroused great concern in the medical community.
Although Guan Mu Tong and Aristolochia have been banned, they may still appear under other names in some TCM formulations. For example, "Guangfangji" is one of Guan Mutong's aliases. Therefore, consumers need to be extra cautious when purchasing and using TCMs.
Dr. Li is an expert who has been engaged in clinical work of integrated Chinese and Western medicine for many years. He pointed out: "The theory of traditional Chinese medicine believes that 'medicine is poisonous', which shows that the ancients were also aware of the two-sided nature of medicine. The development of modern science and technology has enabled us to have a deeper understanding of the components and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicine, which helps us to develop our strengths and avoid weaknesses and use Chinese medicines more safely and effectively. "
So, in the face of this situation, how can ordinary consumers protect themselves? The experts gave the following recommendations:
1. Be vigilant and don't blindly believe in so-called "folk remedies" or "ancestral recipes".
2. When purchasing Chinese medicines, be sure to choose formal channels, such as pharmacies or hospital pharmacies with licensed pharmacists.
3. Before taking Chinese medicine, it is best to consult a professional TCM practitioner or pharmacist to understand the ingredients and possible side effects of the medicine.
4. If you experience uncomfortable symptoms, you should stop the drug immediately and seek medical attention.
5. Pay attention to the medication warnings and prohibition notices issued by relevant departments.
Ms. Zhang, a veteran dietitian, emphasized, "A healthy lifestyle is more important than blindly relying on medications. Eating a balanced diet, exercising moderately, and maintaining a good routine are the fundamental ways to maintain good health. "
It is worth mentioning that although Guan Mutong and Aristolochia are banned, this does not mean that Chinese medicine is no longer credible. On the contrary, it just reflects that traditional Chinese medicine is keeping pace with the times and constantly improving itself through modern scientific means.
According to data from the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the mainland has established a relatively complete safety evaluation system for traditional Chinese medicine, including toxicology research, preclinical safety evaluation and other links. This not only helps to detect potential safety hazards in a timely manner, but also provides a scientific basis for the research and development of new traditional Chinese medicines.
Returning to Aunt Wang's story, after a series of examinations, fortunately she did not cause serious consequences due to short-term consumption of Guan Mutong. This experience made her deeply aware of the importance of medication safety. She decided that before taking any medication in the future, she should do her homework and fully understand its ingredients and possible risks.
What happened to Aunt Wang can be described as a false alarm, but it is a wake-up call for us. In the pursuit of health, we must respect both traditional wisdom and scientific progress. Only in this way can we truly achieve "medicine to eliminate the disease", rather than "medicine to life".
Let us work together to treat every medicine with a rational and prudent attitude to protect our health. After all, health is the most precious treasure in life, and it deserves our utmost care and prudence.
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(The story in the article is purely fictional, if there is any similarity is purely coincidental, if the body is not well, seek medical help in time)