Does traditional Chinese medicine hurt the liver?

Whether traditional Chinese medicine is harmful to the liver depends on the nature of traditional Chinese medicine. Some traditional Chinese medicines can cause certain damage to the liver, but some traditional Chinese medicines have protective effects on the liver. Therefore, whether traditional Chinese medicine is harmful to the liver cannot be generalized, and it needs specific analysis. If the liver function is not perfect, it is best to consult Chinese medicine first and then use Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese medicines such as Toosendan Fructus, Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Dioscorea bulbifera, Semen Castaneae and Tripterygium Wilfordii are harmful to the liver. Long-term use may lead to abnormal liver function, and patients with abnormal liver function should try to avoid using these traditional Chinese medicines. Radix Panacis Quinquefolii, Radix Codonopsis, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Rehmanniae, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Radix Bupleuri, Ganoderma, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Caulis Spatholobi, Semen Persicae, Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, etc. It has a protective effect on the liver, and Chinese medicine generally recommends using these Chinese medicines to nourish and protect the liver.

The liver is an important metabolic organ of human body. Many components in traditional Chinese medicine need to be metabolized in the liver and then excreted through bile and urine. Traditional Chinese medicine is not nontoxic. Abuse of traditional Chinese medicine may lead to liver injury. Patients are advised to use Chinese medicine under the guidance of Chinese medicine doctors, and not to use it without authorization.