How to Drink Chinese Herbal Medicine without Bitterness?
For those who have experienced drinking Chinese herbal medicine, they would remember the bitterness. How can we drink it without feeling the bitterness? Let's take a look at a few methods to make it less bitter.
People have always said "good medicine tastes bitter but it is good for treating diseases". Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has the characteristic of bitterness. How can we drink it without tasting the bitterness? Below are some methods you can try.
Tips for Drinking Chinese Herbal Medicine without Bitterness
1. Choose the Appropriate Temperature
Research has shown that the sensitivity of taste can be affected by the temperature of the stimulus. The normal temperature of the oral cavity is between 36.2℃ and 37.2℃, with the temperature under the tongue being 0.5℃ higher than the surface of the tongue. When the temperature of the herbal soup is similar to the temperature around the tongue, the taste buds are in their best working condition and the sensation is the most sensitive. In other words, the soup tastes the most bitter at this temperature. When the temperature of the soup is above 38℃ or below 35℃, the taste buds become less sensitive and the bitterness is reduced. The optimal temperature for taking herbal medicine is around 42℃ in early spring, late autumn, or winter (when the liquid feels slightly warm), and around 34℃ in late spring, early autumn, or summer (when the liquid feels slightly cool). However, the temperature for taking herbal medicine may vary depending on the nature of the medicine, so it is advisable to consult a doctor or pharmacist before making a choice.
2. Swallow Quickly to Reduce Contact Time with Taste Buds
Taste buds are the receptors for taste perception, and the taste buds that perceive bitterness are mainly located at the tip and back of the tongue. There is a rumor that using a straw to drink herbal medicine can reduce the bitterness, but it is not reliable. First, using a straw only helps avoid contact between the liquid and the tip of the tongue, but the liquid still flows into the back of the tongue and throat, so the bitterness can still be tasted. Second, using a straw prolongs the time it takes to drink the medicine, thus prolonging the time the bitterness stays in the mouth. The correct way to take the medicine is to take a deep breath, hold your breath, and swallow the liquid as quickly as possible. After taking the medicine, it is recommended to drink warm water to clear the residual liquid from the mouth, reduce the residual bitterness, and help the gastrointestinal tract absorb the medicine better.
3. Proper Use of Licorice and Chinese Dates
Most Chinese herbal soups are made up of several or even dozens of herbs. Adding sugar may cause a chemical reaction with one or more of the herbs, which can disrupt the nature and efficacy of the medicine. According to traditional Chinese medicine, each herb has different functions based on its taste and nature. For example, herbs with a sweet taste can nourish and harmonize the body, and relieve pain; herbs with a bitter taste can clear heat and promote bowel movements, dry dampness and nourish yin; herbs with a pungent taste can induce sweating, relieve surface symptoms, and promote the flow of qi and blood. If sugar or other sweeteners are used to mask the bitterness of the medicine, it will inevitably affect the normal efficacy of the medicine. Therefore, it is advisable to use as little or no sugar when taking bitter herbal medicine. If necessary, a moderate amount of licorice or Chinese dates can be added to harmonize the taste of the medicine without affecting its efficacy.
It should also be noted that there is a claim circulating online that "there are two golden periods for the absorption of drugs by the human body, one is from 8 to 10 AM, and the other is from 2 to 3 PM. Taking medicine during these two time periods can reduce bitterness." This claim has no solid clinical evidence, so we should not miss the optimal time for taking medicine and compromise the efficacy of the medicine just to avoid bitterness. "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "For diseases above the chest and diaphragm, it is better to eat before taking medicine; for diseases below the chest and diaphragm, it is better to take medicine before eating; for diseases in the limbs and blood vessels, it is better to take medicine on an empty stomach during the day; for diseases in the bone marrow, it is better to take medicine when full at night." This indicates that the timing of taking medicine is closely related to the affected area of the disease, and should not be changed arbitrarily to avoid bitterness.
How to Drink Chinese Herbal Medicine without Bitterness?
Everyone has different tolerance to bitterness. As long as the properties of the medicine are not altered, it is possible to take the medicine with the advice of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. However, if inappropriate measures are taken to change the nature of the medicine and reduce its efficacy due to fear of bitterness, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits.
How to Drink Chinese Herbal Medicine Properly
1. Drink while hot or after it has cooled down
Hot
Refers to taking the medicine at a temperature of 25-30 degrees Celsius, when the liquid is neither cold nor hot. Unless otherwise specified, most Chinese herbal soups are suitable for hot consumption.
Warm
Refers to taking the medicine when the liquid is relatively hot after it has been boiled. Hot consumption is suitable for treating symptoms such as body aches, headaches, sneezing, and runny nose caused by wind and cold. It can help induce sweating and relieve surface symptoms. When treating internal cold conditions, hot consumption can help expel deep-seated cold.
Cool
Refers to taking the medicine after it has cooled down. Cold consumption is suitable for herbs that clear heat, detoxify, stop vomiting, or reduce fever. It can help expel internal heat. It is also suitable for cooling the body when taking medicine for respiratory diseases.
2. Can You Eat Sugar after Drinking Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Some Chinese herbal medicines are very bitter, and many people choose to eat sugar after drinking them. Does this affect the efficacy of the medicine?
Actually, in general, it does not affect the efficacy of the medicine. However, for patients with certain diseases, it is not advisable to eat sugar after drinking Chinese herbal medicine, such as patients with cough, diabetes, or gastroenteritis.
