The traditional Chinese medicine practitioner said so
In August, various parts of the country were plunged into a prolonged heatwave, with some areas reaching temperatures of 40 ℃ or above. Many friends use Huoxiang Zhengqi Water as a special remedy for relieving heatstroke, and some young people come up with a unique idea by adding ice cubes to Huoxiang Zhengqi Water to make a cold drink and jokingly call it the "Cooling Ice American Style". But this is actually a misconception.
There have been news reports that Ms. Hu, a resident of Huai'an, felt dizzy and weak after working outdoors for a long time. She thought it was heatstroke and drank Huoxiang Zhengqi Water. In less than 10 minutes, Ms. Hu not only had red skin all over her body, but also developed symptoms of chest tightness, dizziness, and vomiting.
Two types of heatstroke
In fact, heatstroke is divided into "yang heat" and "yin heat". Huoxiang Zhengqi can relieve yin heat, but cannot relieve yang heat.
What is Yangshu?
The symptoms of Yang Shu include body fever, dry mouth and tongue, dry throat, limb fatigue, and in severe cases, exhaustion such as shortness of breath and unclear consciousness.
The reason for Yang Shu: It is caused by the invasion of summer heat, such as working outdoors or running long distances under the scorching sun, staying in high temperature environments for too long, sweating a lot but not drinking water to replenish water in a timely manner.
What is Yin Shu?
Symptoms of Yin Shu: dizziness, fatigue, chest tightness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, joint soreness, etc
The reasons for yin heat: caused by excessive cold in hot weather, such as strong winds blowing directly from air conditioning fans, overeating and drinking raw materials, drinking ice water, and sitting in yin cold and humid places for a long time.
In the news report, Ms. Hu was exposed to high temperatures for a long time, which belongs to the category of yang heat. At this time, the body lacks water, and the efficacy of Huoxiang Zhengqi Water is to "dispel dampness". It not only fails to alleviate the symptoms of heatstroke, but also "adds fuel to the fire", exacerbating the condition.
Yang Shu Yin Shu
How to treat it?
To relieve yang heat, the treatment principles include clearing heat and relieving heat, nourishing qi and generating fluids, and awakening the mind. Here is a classic Chinese medicine formula recommended, Qingshu Yiqi Tang.

*Experience based approach*
Qingshu Yiqi Decoction
Ingredients: 5g American ginseng, 15g Dendrobium officinale, 9g Ophiopogon japonicus, 3g Huanglian, 6g Bamboo Leaf, 15g Lotus Stem, 6g Anemarrhena, 3g Licorice, 15g Japonica Rice, 30g Watermelon Green Coat.
Effect: Clear heat and heat, nourish yin and produce fluids.
Indications: Heat, Qi, and Jin dual injury syndrome.
Usage: Boil 300ml of water until 150ml, then take orally.

To relieve Yin and Shu, the treatment principles include dispelling surface coldness, dispelling heat and dampness, warming the middle and nourishing qi. In addition to the commonly used Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, people can also make their own Huoxiang Zhengqi Powder.

*Experience based approach*
Huoxiang Zhengqi Powder
Ingredients: 3g Da Fu Pi, 3g Bai Zhi, 3g Perilla frutescens, 3g Fu Ling, 6g Ban Xia Qu, 6g Bai Zhu, 6g Chen Pi, 6g Hou Pu, 6g Ku Gu Ji, 9g Huo Xiang, 6g Licorice, 3 slices Ginger, and 1 Jujube.
Effect: Relieve surface dampness, regulate qi and balance the middle.
Indications: External wind cold, internal dampness stagnation syndrome.
Usage: Boil in water and take orally.

Cefotaxime mixed with alcohol
Just leave as you say
It should be noted that Huoxiang Zhengqi Water should not be used together with cephalosporin drugs, otherwise it may cause poisoning.
Recently, "A man faints after drinking Huoxiang Zhengqi Water for 15 minutes" has become a hot topic.
According to Fujian Provincial Hospital, Mr. Chen, who lives in Fuzhou, went to the hospital for treatment due to symptoms such as fever and cough. The doctor diagnosed him with acute pneumonia and injected him with cefoxitin sodium. Later, he suffered from heatstroke on the way out of the hospital and took Huoxiang Zhengqi Water by himself. About 15 minutes later, he experienced palpitations, shortness of breath, facial flushing, increased heart rate, headache and dizziness, and finally fainted. Sent to Fujian Provincial Hospital again, the doctor diagnosed it as a disulfiram like poisoning reaction caused by the interaction between cephalosporin and Huoxiang Zhengqi water.
Why is it poisoned? This is because Huoxiang Zhengqi water contains 40-50% alcohol. When these alcohols enter the human body, they are converted into acetaldehyde by ethanol dehydrogenase. Due to the inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase activity by cephalosporin drugs, acetaldehyde cannot continue to degrade, resulting in a large accumulation in the body, leading to disulfiram like toxic reactions.
In addition, it is not advisable to drive, operate precision instruments, or engage in high-altitude work after taking Huoxiang Zhengqi Water.