What are the side effects of Liuwei Dihuang Wan?

Liuwei Dihuang Wan originated from the "Jinkui Shenqi Wan" in the famous work Shanghan Zabing Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases) by the "Medical Sage" Zhang Zhongjing. Qian Yi, the Imperial Physician Assistant of the Northern Song Dynasty, believed that the kidneys determine human growth and development and emphasized the theory that tonification and reduction must be carried out simultaneously. Starting from "Jinkui Shenqi Wan," he created the famous formula Liuwei Dihuang Wan for nourishing kidney yin, composed of 6 traditional Chinese medicines: prepared rehmannia, cornus, Chinese yam, alisma, moutan bark, and poria. Now let us take a look at what side effects Liuwei Dihuang Wan has!

What side effects does Liuwei Dihuang Wan have?

1. For patients with yang deficiency (including kidney yang deficiency and spleen yang deficiency), taking it will make the condition "worse than frost upon snow." People with kidney yang deficiency tend to have a pale complexion, weak constitution, and prefer summer to winter; such people are not suited to taking Liuwei Dihuang Wan. This is because Liuwei Dihuang Wan is a yin-nourishing medicine. Many patients with erectile dysfunction caused by insufficient kidney yang still blindly take Liuwei Dihuang Wan, and their condition then becomes "worse than frost upon snow."

2. Healthy people taking it long-term may experience loss of appetite. Liuwei Dihuang Wan is mainly suitable for patients with yin deficiency; kidney yin deficiency manifests as soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, dysphoria with feverish sensation, dizziness, and tinnitus. Although Liuwei Dihuang Wan has a kidney-tonifying effect, and even healthy people will not have side effects after taking it for a short period, long-term use may very likely cause abdominal fullness, loose stools, loss of appetite, and similar conditions.

3. People with kidney yin deficiency but poor spleen and stomach function should not take it. Liuwei Dihuang Wan is a medicine inclined toward nourishing yin, and the formula contains more yin-soft medicines, which after taking may hinder digestive function. Therefore, those with weak spleen and stomach function and indigestion should take it with caution. Middle-aged and elderly people generally do not have strong spleen and stomach function, so they should be even more cautious when taking it. Taking it intermittently has little effect, but if taken continuously for a long time, it is not advisable.

What effects does Liuwei Dihuang Wan have?

1. Treating diabetes: take 9 grams of Liuwei Dihuang Wan each time, 2 to 3 times daily. It has a good effect in treating mild (moderate) diabetes and also has a certain therapeutic effect on severe diabetes.

2. Eliminating proteinuria in nephritis: for acute nephritis patients whose edema disappears after treatment but urine protein still persists, take 6 to 9 grams of Liuwei Dihuang Wan each time, 2 to 3 times daily; after taking it for 1 to 2 months, it may disappear.

3. Treating persistently positive low-concentration alpha-fetoprotein: take 9 grams of Liuwei Dihuang Wan each time, twice daily, continuously for half a year to one year, which can greatly reduce the incidence of liver cancer.

4. Treating menopausal syndrome: this disease is often accompanied by flushing, hot flashes, sweating, anxiety, palpitations, irritability, insomnia, memory decline, and other symptoms. Take 6 to 9 grams of Liuwei Dihuang Wan each time, 2 to 3 times daily, continuously for 3 months, which can significantly improve the above symptoms.

5. Treating diarrhea before dawn: take 10 grams of Liuwei Dihuang Wan each time, 3 times daily.

6. Treating recurrent aphthous ulcers: take 6 to 9 grams of Liuwei Dihuang Wan each time, 2 to 3 times daily. Generally, effects can be seen after 3 to 5 days, and recurrence after healing is rare. If it recurs, taking this medicine again is still effective.

7. Treating periodontal abscess: take 10 grams of Liuwei Dihuang Wan each time, 3 times daily; symptoms can be reduced after 3 to 5 days.

8. Treating chronic rhinitis: take 9 grams of Liuwei Dihuang Wan each time, once in the morning and once in the evening, continuously for 2 to 3 months, which may have a significant effect.

Precautions for Liuwei Dihuang Wan

1. Avoid foods that are difficult to digest.

2. Patients with cold and fever should not take it.

3. Those with serious chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, and kidney disease should take it under the guidance of a physician.

4. Children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should take it under the guidance of a physician.

5. If symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of medication, one should go to the hospital for treatment.

6. It is contraindicated for those allergic to this product, and those with an allergic constitution should use it with caution.

7. Use is prohibited when the properties of this product change.

8. Children must use it under adult supervision.

9. Please keep this product out of the reach of children.

10. If you are using other medicines, please consult a physician or pharmacist before using this product.