Table of contents:
- What is danshen goji?
- Benefits of danshen goji
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Liver disease (liver)
- What about the side effects?
- Important notes before taking herbal medicine
Herbal potions or jamu lately are often the choice of people to treat various types of diseases. The reason is, many herbal ingredients are much more affordable than buying medicines from doctors. In addition, herbal concoctions are easy to find, for example in stores on line. One of the herbal ingredients that are being discussed is danshen goji. However, is it true that the herbal concoction of danshen goji is useful for treating diseases? The following is the review.
What is danshen goji?
Danshen goji is a herbal blend of two main ingredients, namely red ginseng root (and shen) and goji berries. These products are usually sold in factory packaging. To consume it you just need to brew it with water such as tea, according to the recommended dosage of each product. This herbal product is claimed to have been used as an original traditional medicine from China since ancient times.
Benefits of danshen goji
Keep in mind, until now there has been no research that is strong enough to prove this herbal medicine is able to cure various diseases. However, the various ingredients of danshen and goji berries themselves are known for their health benefits.
So, consider the various potential benefits of danshen goji for the following health conditions.
Stroke
Launching from the health sites WebMD and eMedicineHealth, herbal remedies from danshen and goji berries can help improve brain function after an ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke itself is a type of stroke caused by blockage of blood vessels in the brain.
Researchers in China believe that danshen can thin the blood. Blood will not clot and clog the blood vessels in the brain. Although research has not been refined, the efficacy of danshen goji for post-stroke therapy looks promising.
Heart disease
For people with heart disease, taking this herbal product may reduce chest pain (angina). The way it works is similar to the drug isosorbide dinitrate, which is a drug to prevent chest pain in patients with coronary heart disease. According to the WebMD site, these properties will only be felt after regularly consuming danshen goji for at least six months.
In addition, the content of goji berries is believed to lower blood pressure. Blood pressure that jumps high can increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. However, at this time further research is still needed to ensure the efficacy of this goji herb.
Liver disease (liver)
Research conducted on mice has shown that drinking the herbal concoctions of danshen and goji can repair damage to the liver. However, scientists and health experts still have to test again whether the same properties can be obtained by humans.
What about the side effects?
Herbal products danshen goji may cause bad interactions when taken with other medicines. For example, if you take heart failure medications such as digoxin, blood thinners such as warfarin, or blood pressure-lowering drugs.
In the short term, this herbal remedy may cause side effects such as itching, stomach upset, and loss of appetite. While the side effects in the long term are not known with certainty.
Important notes before taking herbal medicine
Do not take the herbal remedies danshen and goji before discussing it with your doctor. Only doctors and health professionals can assess your condition and possible complications. Especially if you are pregnant, have diabetes or low blood pressure, and are scheduled to undergo surgery.
In addition, herbal medicine is not recommended as a substitute for medical drugs that have been prescribed by a doctor. Herbal medicine may be used as a companion medicine so that you can control the symptoms of the disease. However, once again you must consult with your doctor or herbalist before starting herbal therapy. To avoid unwanted things, the use of herbal medicines must be in the appropriate dosage.
If your doctor recommends that you drink danshen goji, be careful when choosing the product. Do not buy from manufacturers who have not yet obtained a distribution permit from the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to protect you from concocted drugs that contain dangerous ingredients.
