A Cup of "Healthy" Chicken Soup, Almost Cost a Life! Do You Really Understand Chinese Medicine?

A Cup of "Healthy" Chicken Soup, Almost Cost a Life! Do You Really Understand Chinese Medicine?With people increasingly focusing on their health, the "health-preserving trend" has swept through young people. Medicinal cuisine, as the first choice for health preservation, combines the medicinal properties of Chinese medicine with the deliciousness of food, mitigating the medicinal taste

A Cup of "Healthy" Chicken Soup, Almost Cost a Life! Do You Really Understand Chinese Medicine?

With people increasingly focusing on their health, the "health-preserving trend" has swept through young people. Medicinal cuisine, as the first choice for health preservation, combines the medicinal properties of Chinese medicine with the deliciousness of food, mitigating the medicinal taste. However, if you don't understand scientific health preservation, medicinal cuisine can turn into "poison," leading to poisoning and death with just a small amount.

Xiao Zhang, a 27-year-old diligent office worker, felt his stomach grumbling with hunger after working overtime until the early hours of the morning. To replenish his energy, he decided to make a "hearty dish" - chicken soup. Considering the mental exhaustion caused by long working hours, Xiao Zhang decided to add some Chinese medicine to nourish his brain. He rummaged through the refrigerator and found half a chicken and a small piece of Aconitum carmichaelii, thinking that he usually adds similar Chinese medicine to his chicken soup, which can enhance the flavor and nutrition.

Without thinking much, Xiao Zhang stewed these two ingredients together, specifically simmering for over an hour. The aroma was intoxicating, and he couldn't resist taking a sip, but he never expected this bowl of chicken soup to almost take his life. Soon after, Xiao Zhang felt unwell, dizzy, and disoriented, eventually collapsing to the ground.

His family rushed him to the hospital after discovering him, and the doctor diagnosed him with "aconitine poisoning," with the culprit being the Aconitum carmichaelii in the chicken soup. After regaining consciousness, Xiao Zhang realized that he had almost died because of "health preservation," and couldn't help but be terrified.

Why is it that adding some Chinese medicine to chicken soup usually doesn't cause any problems, but adding Aconitum carmichaelii leads to poisoning?

Aconitum carmichaelii, also known as Aconitum, is a special medicinal herb with a pungent and hot nature, known for its ability to revive yang and rescue from imminent death. It is commonly used in medical clinics. However, this doesn't mean it can be consumed casually.

Doctors are extremely cautious when using Aconitum carmichaelii, only prescribing it to those with yang deficiency. Even when prescribing Chinese medicine containing Aconitum carmichaelii, doctors will instruct patients to "pre-boil and boil separately," for at least an hour.

Although Aconitum carmichaelii is a good medicine, it's a double-edged sword, it can save lives when used correctly, but can harm people when used incorrectly. Therefore, it's crucial to follow medical advice and never use it arbitrarily.

Xiao Zhang's "poisoning incident" is not an isolated case. In June this year, a man in Kunming fell into a coma after drinking 300 ml of homemade medicinal wine containing aconitine. When his son discovered him unconscious, he rushed him to the hospital for treatment, and after a series of measures including gastric lavage, hemoperfusion, medication induced diarrhea, and activated carbon adsorption, his father was pulled back from the brink of death in the early morning of the next day.

This man had been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and liked to use some Chinese medicine to soak in alcohol for warmth, but he was unaware of the enormous risks involved. He considered the medicinal wine a treasure, but he didn't know that this "treasure" almost cost him his life.

The root cause of aconitine poisoning lies in plants belonging to the Aconitum genus, such as Aconitum carmichaelii, Aconitum kusnezoffii, and other commonly used Chinese herbs. These herbs have the ability to dispel wind and dampness, relieve pain, and are often used to treat related illnesses. However, many people are only aware of their efficacy but ignore their side effects and toxicity.

Aconitine belongs to the diterpene alkaloid family, and upon entering the body, it elicits a strong response on the heart and central nervous system. If ingested in excess, it can lead to increased heart contractility, elevated blood pressure, and ultimately cardiac arrest.

Many people believe that Western medicine has numerous adverse reactions, while those of Chinese medicine are "not yet clear." However, "not yet clear" implies an unknown risk, like opening a blind box, and may result in side effects or delayed treatment.

Not all Chinese medicine is good, so don't eat it casually if you don't understand it. Be cautious with Chinese medicine that is "rumored to be very effective," learn about its efficacy and contraindications, and avoid tragedies like those of Xiao Zhang and the man in Kunming.

To prevent medicinal cuisine poisoning, we should pay attention to the following points:

1. Do not use Chinese medicinal herbs casually, especially those with strong toxicity, such as Aconitum carmichaelii, Aconitum kusnezoffii, etc.

2. Before using any Chinese medicinal herbs, it's crucial to consult a professional Chinese medicine practitioner, understand its medicinal properties, efficacy, and contraindications, and follow medical advice.

3. Do not believe in folk remedies and avoid using Chinese medicinal herbs from unknown sources.

4. Do not make your own medicinal wine, as the proportions and manufacturing process are complex, and mistakes are easily made.

In conclusion, health preservation should be scientific, not blindly pursuing "folk remedies" or "miraculous effects." While enjoying deliciousness, pay attention to safety and avoid being poisoned because of "health preservation"!

References:

1Guangming Daily: 3 Milligrams Fatal! A 27-Year-Old Man Fell Unconscious After Adding This to Chicken Soup for Health Preservation in the Middle of the Night, Emergency Rescue Sent to the Hospital 2023-09-01

2Be Careful with Aconitum-Derived Drugs While Making Wine and Medicinal Cuisine! Family Life Guide

3Guangming Daily: A Man in Kunming Fell into a Coma After Drinking This Wine! Doctor: It Contains This, 2 to 4 Milligrams Can Cause Death! 2024-06-21

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])