Chinese medicine and hormones

[harley quinn]

Guys I would appreciate a bit of help here.

I have a lovely LB friend who tends to take Chinese herbal remedies (for colds etc) as opposed to pharmaceuticals that have their roots in medical science.

While I appreciate that this form of traditional medicine has been around for a long time and despite my western scepticism, is used by millions of people, I cannot believe it was ever envisaged as being taken by a person who was also taking hormone treatments.

Does anyone know whether this mix can have harmful effects?

If as I suspect, the herbs are merely placebo activates then no harm done, however some herbal mixes can be quite potent and I can find nothing by googling the subject.

Any feedback will be most appreciated.

Thanks
Harley

[rxpharm]

Unfortunately your information is not detailed enough to give a specific reply.

I will tell you some general information though. First is she taking the traditional Chinese medicine regularly? You mention cold medicine - if she is taking it only periodically when she has a cold, it is not likely to cause any significant problems.

By the way, traditonal Chinese medicine has several hundreds of years of history behind it, so I would not say that most of the effects may be placebo. There is a lot of research going on now to isolate active ingredients in herbal medicines (from many countries), to develop new drugs.

Also think this way - the hormones she takes are female hormones - so regular women take Chinese medicine without problems.

The situations where something bad might happen are if there was some interaction where the herbal medicine would somehow cause increased levels of hormone that would be at an overdose level, or vice versa, lowered levels to an extent they were not effective.

What you should be more concerned about is if she is overdosing on her hormones which can cause liver damage.

[moe666]

Does she go to a DR. of Chinese Med. for her herbs if she does he should know about what she takes and prescribe according.
A ex girlfriend is a Dr of Oriental medicine or DOM she takes herbs as well as hormone replacement therapy and no problems. The problem could arise from mixing a herbal formula with a western drug or even a over the counter remedy. To much of a good thing can kill you.
Some of the herbals especially for cold have mauhaung excuse the spelling, it is a stimulant and can cause the heart rate to increase. It has been banned in the states because of idots miss using it for weight loss, several died.
Mahaung used correctly is very safe and is very effective for cold relief. Tell her also to increase her vitmin c to 5,000 mgs. when ever she has a cold. Also vitamin d is a good call this time of year in Thailand, no one goes out because of heat and rain and they are not getting enough sunlight. A dose of about 1000international units would be good for her or anyone.

[harley quinn]

Thanks guys. Her hormone dosage is fairly low so should not be a problem and she does consult a licensed practitioner of Chinese medicine so my mind is now at ease.

Incidently just after making my first post I managed to burn my wrist while doing my celebrated Gordon Ramsey impression and the Chinese burn salve she gave me worked a treat! They obviously know a lot more than we ignorant westerners give them credit for!

[ohnoriceagain]

Chinese herbalist doctors are awesome. They have you stick out your tongue and prescribe. The stuff stinks up your house but definitely works. I'm not a pill popper, as I think doctors here in the US are extensions of the pharmeceutical companies, and I'm right. I rarely fill my prescriptions and if i do, I rarely finish all the pills.

Mixing a pill with hormone treatment might be bad and then again maybe not but mixing herbs much safer. Synthetic & natural better than synthetic & synthetic.

I go to a Chinese herbalist here. It always works, much to be said for holistic health. Deep tissue massages, accupuncture for stress, live by that. Talk to the herb doc, he may be able to give you a concoction that will make her boobs grow.