Nowadays, the application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in disease prevention and treatment is becoming more and more widespread. How to use TCM safely and effectively has become a topic of concern. In this regard, the author would like to provide some suggestions on the reasonable use of TCM for everyone's reference:
Use according to symptoms
The use of TCM should be guided by experienced physicians, and patients should avoid purchasing and using TCM without proper guidance. The use of TCM must be based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, using differential diagnosis and treatment. For example, for the most common symptom of cough, if it is caused by external wind-cold, Tong Xuan Li Fei oral solution should be used; if it is caused by external wind-heat, Chuan Bei Qing Fei syrup should be used; if it is caused by internal phlegm and fluid retention, Ju Hong tablets should be used; if it is caused by reversed lung qi, Su Zi Jiang Qi pills should be used; if it is caused by lung dryness, Bai He Gu Jing pills should be used. If the differentiation of cold and heat, deficiency and excess is not made, the medication will not only be ineffective but may also have adverse effects.
Read the drug instructions carefully
After obtaining the medication, it is important to read the drug instructions carefully, as there are specific instructions regarding dosage, timing, and frequency of use for TCM. For example, tonic medicines like Liu Wei Di Huang pills and Shi Quan Da Bu Wan should be taken on an empty stomach before meals; spleen-strengthening and digestion-promoting medicines like Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan and Shan Zha Wan should be taken 15 minutes after meals; tranquilizing and calming medicines like Yang Xue An Shen pills should be taken 30 minutes before bedtime. These factors must be taken into consideration and not taken lightly.
Incompatible combinations of TCM and Western medicine
To enhance the effectiveness of treatment, the combination of TCM and Western medicine is common. However, improper combinations can lead to adverse effects. Here are several commonly used TCM and Western medicine combinations that should be avoided:
1. Acidic TCM, such as Shan Zha Wan (pills), Wu Mei An Wei Wan, Bao He Wan, Wu Wei Zi Wan, should not be used together with alkaline Western medicine, such as sodium bicarbonate, Gastrin, aminophylline, aluminum hydroxide, etc. Otherwise, the neutralization of acidity and alkalinity will reduce the efficacy.
2. TCM containing Danshen, such as Danshen tablets, should not be used together with Western medicine Gastrin, as the main components of Danshen tablets, Danshen ketone and Danshen phenol, can form complexes with aluminum hydroxide in Gastrin, which cannot be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, leading to reduced efficacy. Danshen injection should not be used together with vitamin C injection, as the combination can cause a reduction reaction.
3. Huanglian Shangqing pills should not be used together with lactase, as Huanglian can significantly inhibit the activity of lactase in lactobacilli, causing them to lose their ability to assist digestion.
4. TCM containing Dahuang, such as Ma Ren Wan, Niu Huang Jie Du pian, should not be used together with Western medicine Pancreatin, as the main component of Dahuang, Dahuang phenol, can inhibit the digestive function of enzymes.
5. Kunbu pills containing iodine should not be used together with isoniazid, as seaweed (including kelp) contains abundant iodine, which can undergo oxidation-reduction reactions with isoniazid in an acidic condition in the stomach, causing it to lose its anti-tuberculosis effect.
6. TCM containing ephedrine, such as Tong Xuan Li Fei pills, Xiao Qing Long He Ji, should not be used together with antihypertensive drugs or cardiac glycosides, as ephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug that can cause constriction of small arteries and veins, leading to increased blood pressure. Using it together with antihypertensive drugs can reduce the therapeutic effect of the antihypertensive drugs, and using it together with cardiac glycosides can cause arrhythmia.
7. TCM containing mercury, such as Zhu Sha An Shen pills, Ren Dan, Ba Zhen Dan, Qi Li San, Zi Xue Dan, Guan Xin Su He Wan, Jian Nao Wan, should not be used together with Western medicine sodium bromide, potassium bromide, sodium iodide, etc. as they can react in the intestines to form highly irritating mercuric bromide or mercuric iodide, leading to drug-induced enteritis.
8. TCM containing toad venom, such as Yi Xin Wan, Liu Shen Wan, She Xiang Bao Xin Wan, should not be used together with Western medicine quinidine, procainamide, etc., which are used to treat arrhythmia, as they can produce antagonistic effects and increase the toxicity of both drugs.
Adverse reactions
As the saying goes, "All drugs have three parts poison," and TCM is no exception. Common adverse reactions to TCM include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, chest tightness, generalized rash, and facial vascular neurogenic edema. Once adverse reactions are observed, the medication should be stopped immediately, and if the reaction is severe, medical attention should be sought promptly.
Identification of spoiled TCM
Tablets: Qualified tablets have a hard surface texture, do not easily break or change color. If the surface of the tablet is not smooth, loose, or discolored, it should not be used.
Granules: Qualified granules are dry, free of clumps, insects, and mold. Spoiled granules generally do not produce a sound when shaken.
Honey pills: Qualified honey pills have a thick wax shell, intact with no damage. The pills should have an oily and shiny appearance, with no signs of insects, mold, abnormal odor, or acidic smell.
Syrup: Spoiled syrup may have a white film on the surface, and the distribution of the medicine inside may be uneven when shaken.
Water-floating pills: Water-floating pills are small sugar-coated pills with a hard and dry texture, about the size of a mung bean. When shaken in the packaging bag or bottle, a sharp collision sound can be heard. Spoiled water-floating pills may have white spots or signs of insect damage.
Powders: Qualified powders should have a soft, fine, and uniform texture. Any clumping or mold spots indicate spoilage.
