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Side Effects of Some Herbs     Page 1

by: Joe Hing Kwok Chu

For Latin botanical names and in Chinese in character, click here.

Pinyin

Side Effects

ai ye

use caution in case of yin deficiency or heat in blood. 

The effective ingredient is the volatile oil and it is the

toxic ingredient which can cause inflammation of the

skin mucus. When taken orally can cause irritation of

the of the digestive tract. After absolving, it can arrive

at the liver and can obstruct the metabolism of the liver

 and can cause jaundice type of hepatitis. Its effect toward

the central nervous system is prominent. In toxic reaction,

the central nervous system becomes over active and can

induce seizure. Because of the changes of the reflex of the

nerves, it can damage the walls of  blood vessels and causes

hyperemia (increase of blood flow to the part of body) of the

uterus and causes bleeding. Toxic range is 20 ~ 30 g if taken

orally.

bai bu

low toxicity if eaten, may cause vomiting, diarrhea, excitement,

delirium, and coma.

da hui xiang

Dizziness, vomiting, speech impairment, pale complexion, eye 

balls rolling back intermittently, spasm in limbs, neck arching 

backward symptoms of digestive systems and of the nervous system.

li lu

Irritation of the mucus of the mouth, the nose and the eyes. Over

dose my cause respiratory arrest

ma bo

Allergic reaction: dizziness, throat feels swollen and obstructed, 

heaviness in chest, itchiness and rash.

ma qian zi

Toxic reaction: mild reactions include mild spasm in the limbs, 

drunken feeling, frighten. Nervous system symptoms include 

face, jaw, & back muscle spasm, opisthotonus, blue lips. 

Circulation: palpitation, short of breath and heart failure.

ma sang

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, 

salivating, whole body numbness  , slow heart rate , increase 

of blood pressure & rate of breathing, reflexes become stronger,  

spasm. If serious breathing becomes longer & coma.

mu tong

Acute kidney exhaustion: lack of urine, protein or blood in urine, 

hypertension, nausea, lack of appetite and itchiness. Drop in 

platelet count, bleeding, & anemic.

mu xiang

Allergic reaction: mild abdominal pain, itchiness, tightness in chest 

area, and diarrhea.

qian nian jian

Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, whole body spasm, foaming in the 

mouth, coma, opisthotonus.

ren shen (ginseng)

Headache, insomnia, anxious, itchiness, hiccups,  blood pressure 

going up, pale, purple lips, spasm in the limbs, rapid breathing, 

heart exhaustion and even death

san qi, (tian qi)

Face and eyes becomes red and swollen. Numbness in the limbs, 

dizziness, heaviness in the chest, palpitation, sweating, nausea, 

arrhythmia

shan ci gu

Frequent vomiting, intensive pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, 

bleeding of the digestive tract, dehydration, acidosis, shock, 

anxious, coma, lack of urine. It might cause death in serious 

cases.

shan dou gen

Affects central nervous system and vegetation nervous 

system: headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, sweating, 

dropping of  blood pressure, difficulty in breathing, anxious, 

delirium, spasm, coma, and death caused by breathing exhaustion

tian nan xing

Eating raw tian nan xing causes serious damage of mucus area, 

swollen tongue, numbness in mouth and tongue, and speech and  

memory impairment

tian ma

Allergic  reaction: rash,  or local or whole body swelling, nose 

bleeding, dry skin, and dizziness.

wu jia pi

Toxic reaction: blindness, numbness in limbs, dizziness and 

headache

wu wei zi

Toxic in stomach area: burning sensation in solar plexus area and lack of appetite. 

Allergic reaction: 

exanthema like of rash and itchiness.

Toxic to the kidneys:

large dosages or long term usage is toxic to the kidney

 

More to be uploaded

Also see Toxicity of Herbs.

 

Go to page 3 of herb toxicity to see pre-manufactured herbs that may be toxic to the kidneys.

 

Last update: Oct 13,  2003; 9:15 a.m.

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