从何首乌看差距

那位彭先生说，28日下午3点多钟，他在大悟亲戚家赶完礼以后，开着自家的小车沿243省道返回孝昌，当车行驶到大悟芳畈段时，发现一个扛着挖锄的老 农，手里提着株根部酷似人形的植物，沿着公路边行走。彭先生停下车后，和该老农攀谈起来。老农说自己是芳畈镇某村的农民，今天到荒山上植树时，在一山岩处 发现一兜很密集的藤蔓，有点像中药材，就将它挖了出来，结果就挖到这棵“人形何首乌”。

　　彭先生一看这株“人形何首乌”根部的泥土是湿润 的，估计应该是刚挖出不久的。于是将这这株“人形植物”拿在手里仔细观察，其形状酷似一个裸体男子，头、躯干、四肢轮廓明显，而且手、脚都是按正常的人体 比例分布，头部的眼、鼻、嘴、耳等器官不仅一应俱全，而且惟妙惟肖、清晰逼真。头顶上还留有一茬（10多根）一米多长的藤蔓，像人的头发。

　 　彭先生初步测量，这株“人形植物”高约30多厘米，重达10余斤。彭先生经过一番讨价还价，将身上仅有的8000元现金拿了出来，购买了这个“人形何首 乌”。付完钱后该老农还特意叮嘱：“听老人说何首乌一旦长成人的形状，就成精了，回家以后要用红布或红绳将它绑起来，才不会跑。”

后来他的朋友发现这是一株山药，上当受骗了。

其一是骗子到处，二是人人只知保命，缺乏医学知识，甚至基本常识，与科学脱轨，过多迷信的夹杂。

还幸亏买到的是山药，真是何首乌说不定还闹出更大麻烦呐！

看看，什么是何首乌。十余年前，就有许多文章对它提出质疑，尤其肝脏毒性。

As of 30 March 2006, seven reports of suspected adverse reactions associated with Polygonum multiflorum have been reported to the MHRA through the Yellow Card Scheme. All seven reports are of liver reactions and comprise one report of abnormal liver function, 3 reports of jaundice, 2 reports hepatitis and one report of jaundice and hepatitis. The patients, 5 women and 2 men aged from 36 to 70 years old, were taking Polygonum multiflorum for hair loss (3 patients had taken the product Shen Min and 3 patients had taken the product Shou Wu Wan).  All the patients had recovered or were recovering after stopping Polygonum multiflorum.  Reports of hepatitis associated with Polygonum multiflorum have also been reported in the published literature.There are many signs and symptoms of liver disease. These include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), dark urine, nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, and /or loss of appetite. If you think you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should see your doctor. If a liver disorder is diagnosed it is recommended that you stop taking Polygonum multiflorum. Anyone who has previously experienced any liver complaint or any other serious health complaint is advised not to take Polygonum multiflorum without speaking to their doctor first. It is important to always discuss all of the medication you are taking, including herbal products, with your doctor or herbal practitioner to ensure you receive the appropriate care.

国内也有许多类似研究与报道：

何首乌是常用的补益药，不论单用或配伍、处方与非处方、保健品与食品的应用都非常广泛。但何首乌引发的肝毒性也是不容忽视的。目前针对何首乌肝毒性的研究主要集中在“单点”上，“成面”的系统研究较少。