Study reveals synergy between Chinese herbs and Western drug to restore blood circulation

SINGAPORE - March 12, 2015 - PRLog -- A medical review supported by Eu Yan Sang International Ltd (EYSI), an integrative health and wellness company listed in Singapore, has revealed evidence of interaction between Chinese herbs and warfarin—a Western drug used to stop blood from clotting.

Using medical journals, case reports and published studies spanning over a 30-year period from 1983 to 2014, the review has identified possible effects of 44 commonly used Chinese herbs and supplements on warfarin in Singapore. Of these, 11 herbs –danshen, gingko, dong quai, American ginseng, safflower, peach kernel, licorice, Asian ginseng, lycium, ginger and notoginseng—were found to have the strongest evidence of potential interaction with warfarin (refer to table below for more details).

The review entitled ‘Interaction between warfarin and Chinese herbal medicines’ was a result of an extensive research in both English and Chinese databases of medical journals. These journals were retrieved from PUbmed, a free resource developed by the US National Library of Medicine, and Wanfang Med Online by the Chinese Medical Association. . The review was co-authored by medical students from Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at National University of Singapore (NUS) in consultation with physicians from EYSI’s subsidiary, Eu Yan Sang Integrative Health Pte Ltd and Parkway Cancer Centre. This is the first and only of such joint study in Singapore published in the Singapore Medical Journal.

Warfarin is commonly used in medicine as a blood thinner to lower the risk of stroke for patients. Patients on warfarin are often maintained on long-term therapy, thus a substantial number turn concurrently to TCM for synergistic effects. However, over-the-counter herb products do not necessarily contain key safety messages for end-users on herbal interaction with Western drug.

The authors of the review have suggested for the cooperation of both Western medical doctors and Chinese physicians in ensuring safety in patients on warfarin. The review also acknowledged that many other herb-warfarin interactions likely go unrecognised by unsuspecting practitioners.

“As part of our vision to work towards our practice of integrative healthcare, we are immensely proud of our NUS medical students and pleased to have helped develop the next generation of medical talent, by stimulating and supporting their interest in TCM,” said Mr Richard Eu, Group Chief Executive Officer at EYSI.

The authors have suggested that despite their vast differences, both Western and Chinese medicines are employed with the similar goal of optimising patient outcomes. With the aid of further studies dedicated to the advancement of knowledge in this area, close cooperation between Western and Chinese physicians will allow for Chinese herbs and Western medicines to be prescribed for synergistic effects.