Many people believe that medication should be taken after meals, but that is not true. The timing of taking traditional Chinese medicine can affect the effectiveness of the medication. It is very important to choose the appropriate time to take the medicine, and some medications need to be taken on an empty stomach.
Medications that need to be taken on an empty stomach should be taken at least one hour before a meal, and preferably on an empty stomach in the morning. When taken on an empty stomach, there is no food in the stomach and duodenum, so the medication can avoid mixing with food and quickly enter the intestines, which is beneficial for the digestion and absorption of the medication. This group of medications includes the following three categories:
Tonifying medications: such as Si Wu Tang, Si Jun Zi Tang, Sheng Mai Yin, etc. When taken on an empty stomach, the medication can be fully absorbed and better exert its tonifying effect on qi and blood and regulate yin and yang.
Medications for treating gastrointestinal diseases: such as laxatives, etc. Taking them on an empty stomach can prevent the medication from being blocked by food and quickly exert its therapeutic effect.
Anthelmintic medications: such as Li Zhong An Hui Tang, Wu Mei Wan, etc. Taking them on an empty stomach can maintain a higher concentration of medication in the intestines, making it easier for the medication to kill and expel worms, resulting in the rapid elimination of the worms.
