Yuan Shen Root — Safety & Interactions

Yuan Shen · Radix Scrophulariae

Contraindications

  • Deficiency-cold digestive weakness with loose stools
  • Uncomplicated chronic fatigue without heat, dryness, or nodule formation
  • Use in formulas specifically avoiding the traditional incompatibility with Li Lu

Cautions

  • Yuan Shen is strongly cooling and can aggravate weak digestion if mismatched to the pattern.
  • Modern concentrated extract use should not be assumed equivalent to classical decoction use.
  • MSK page not found - drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database

Drug Interactions

Drug Class / Substrate Mechanism Severity Source
Thyroid-active medications - theoretical overlap if self-prescribed for thyroid concerns

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.