Examination for patient with liver enzymes increased 25 times - Photo: BVCC
Liver enzymes increased 25 times due to arbitrary use
Patient BTQ, 34 years old (Hoa Binh) discovered hepatitis B in August 2023 but did not follow Western medicine treatment but instead researched good medicinal plants online, including knowing that Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a very good plant to treat the disease.
At the end of September 2024, Ms. Q. experienced fatigue, poor appetite, and unusual jaundice, so she was admitted to a hospital near her home with a diagnosis of acute liver failure on the basis of hepatitis B.
After 5 days of treatment, the patient's condition did not improve, so he was transferred to the Hepatitis Department, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases with symptoms of jaundice, yellow eyes, acute liver failure, liver function reaching 49%, and liver enzyme index increased 25 times higher than normal.
Doctor Nguyen Quang Huy, Department of Hepatitis, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said that many people are in critical condition, even in danger of death, because of mistakenly taking herbal medicine to treat their illness. This leads to severe acute liver failure.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a plant that many people use, but not everyone uses it well - Illustration photo
Precious medicine but not yet deeply researched
Talking about the precious medicinal plant Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Dr. Quach Tuan Vinh, Chairman of the Hoan Kiem Oriental Medicine Association, said that this is a plant belonging to the squash family, widely used in traditional and modern medicine. Gynostemma pentaphyllum has a bitter, slightly sweet taste and a cool nature, and is classified into the liver, spleen, lung, and kidney meridians, with the effect of clearing heat, detoxifying, and reducing inflammation...
Gynostemma pentaphyllum has been widely used in functional products and medicines to treat cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and support cancer prevention. The use of Gynostemma pentaphyllum is becoming more and more popular, especially in improving general health and fighting chronic diseases.
Many studies around the world have confirmed the effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum in supporting the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic diseases.
Therefore, people compete to use Gynostemma pentaphyllum, not only to detoxify, treat lipid disorders, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hepatitis but also to beautify and enhance immunity.
However, according to experts, although many studies have confirmed the use of Gynostemma pentaphyllum in the supportive treatment of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic diseases, these studies are still at the initial stage, and more long-term clinical studies are needed to fully confirm the effects of this plant.
In particular, in Vietnam, Gynostemma pentaphyllum has been receiving great attention from scientists, traditional medicine and modern medical research facilities, pharmaceutical and functional food manufacturing enterprises. However, research on Gynostemma pentaphyllum in Vietnam still faces some difficulties and challenges.
These include lack of resources and investment , difficulty in conducting large-scale, long-term, and internationally standardized research; lack of exchange and cooperation with major research centers around the world is also a limitation; there is no standardized process for extracting the main active ingredients (saponins, flavonoids) from the plant.
This makes the quality of products from Gynostemma pentaphyllum uneven and difficult to control. In addition, there have not been many large-scale clinical studies on the effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on humans.
According to experts, to ensure safety for users and to comprehensively develop and exploit the full potential of this herb, there needs to be stronger investment in research resources, international cooperation and standardization of production processes.
It is necessary to use Gynostemma pentaphyllum correctly to avoid complications - Illustration photo
Many side effects, need to use correctly
Dr. Quach Tuan Vinh shared that although Gynostemma pentaphyllum is considered a herb with many health benefits, it can also cause some side effects for some people when used incorrectly or in too high a dosage.
– Excessively lowering blood pressure : Gynostemma pentaphyllum has the effect of lowering blood pressure, which is good for people with high blood pressure. However, if used by people with low blood pressure, it can cause excessively low blood pressure, leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and even fainting.
– Digestive disorders: Some people who use Gynostemma pentaphyllum may experience digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea, which often occur when taking high doses or for people with sensitive digestive systems.
– Insomnia : Gynostemma pentaphyllum can have a mild stimulant effect, helping to increase energy and alertness. However, for some people, this can lead to insomnia, especially when used in the evening or in high doses.
– Increased risk of bleeding: Because Gynostemma pentaphyllum can thin the blood, it can increase the risk of bleeding, especially for people who are taking anticoagulants. People preparing for surgery should also stop using Gynostemma pentaphyllum for a while before surgery to avoid the risk of excessive bleeding.
In particular, Gynostemma pentaphyllum can interact with certain medications, including:
– Hypoglycemic drugs: The hypoglycemic effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum may increase the risk of excessive hypoglycemia when used with diabetes medications.
– Blood pressure lowering drugs : Using Gynostemma pentaphyllum with blood pressure medications can lower blood pressure too low.
– Anticoagulants : Gynostemma pentaphyllum can thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants.
– Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Currently, there is not enough research on the safety of Gynostemma pentaphyllum for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Therefore, to ensure safety, women in these stages should limit or avoid using Gynostemma pentaphyllum, unless prescribed by a doctor.
Allergy: Some people may be allergic to Gynostemma pentaphyllum, causing reactions such as rash, itching, or difficulty breathing. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, discontinue use immediately and seek medical help.
Notes on use
Drink in the morning: Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea can be mildly stimulating, so it is best to drink it in the morning or at noon, avoid drinking it in the evening so as not to affect sleep.
Take after meals: For those with weak or sensitive stomachs, take after meals to avoid stomach irritation.
Do not overdose: Overdose of Gynostemma pentaphyllum can cause some side effects such as excessive hypotension, abdominal pain, diarrhea or insomnia.
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