Chinese herbal medicine is better for regulating the body than Western medicine, especially for chronic diseases. When seeing a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, they will advise us on some dietary taboos because certain foods can affect the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine. So, what should we avoid eating when drinking Chinese herbal medicine?
Can Chinese herbal medicine be taken on an empty stomach?
Chinese herbal medicine taken on an empty stomach is mostly used for diseases with excess symptoms, especially for conditions such as stagnation, blood stasis, and dampness. In terms of location, it is suitable for treating diseases below the diaphragm (such as the stomach, liver, and kidneys).
Specific medication times include: taking medicine before dawn (such as the Cock Crow Powder); taking medicine at dawn (early morning when the sky just starts to brighten, such as the Ten Jujube Decoction); taking medicine before meals (such as the Three Major Qi-Invigorating Decoction), etc.
Generally, taking medicine on an empty stomach before meals allows the medicine to directly contact the gastrointestinal mucosa and quickly pass through the stomach into the intestines, thus being more effectively absorbed and exerting its effects.
What should be avoided when drinking Chinese herbal medicine?
1. Spicy foods
These foods are usually pungent and hot, and have the function of warming the Yang and invigorating the stomach. However, excessive consumption can easily generate phlegm and fire, dissipate Qi and consume blood. Therefore, these foods are only suitable for those with cold syndrome diseases and are not suitable for individuals with Yin deficiency and Yang hyperactivity, as well as those with blood disorders, warm diseases, hemorrhoids, and abscesses, etc.
These foods include onions, garlic, leeks, ginger, alcohol, chili, etc. For example, chili is hot in nature. If consumed by individuals with symptoms of fever, constipation, short red urine, dry and thirsty mouth, dry lips, swollen and sore throat, nosebleeds, and red tongue, it will inevitably aggravate "fire" symptoms, thus neutralizing the effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, and nourishing Yin. Therefore, patients with heat syndrome should not consume chili when seeking traditional Chinese medicine treatment.
2. Fishy foods
These foods are usually cold in nature and contain a large amount of protein, which can easily cause allergic reactions when combined with Chinese herbal medicine. Regular consumption can easily induce gastrointestinal diseases, so individuals with poor gastrointestinal function should consume them sparingly. These foods include some freshwater and marine fish, etc.
3. Foods that induce "wind"
These foods are all wind-inducing and phlegm-engendering, and the degree of "inducing" varies depending on the severity of the disease. These foods include mushrooms, truffles, bamboo shoots, mustard greens, pumpkin, rooster meat, pig head meat, and sow meat, etc.
For individuals with liver Yang hyperactivity and internal liver wind disorders, they should avoid eating rooster meat and pig head meat; for patients with boils, carbuncles, sores, and abscesses, they should avoid eating truffles, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, rooster meat, pig head meat, and sow meat, as it will accelerate redness, swelling, and suppuration; individuals with gastrointestinal diseases should avoid eating pumpkin because it contains sugar, and excessive consumption will produce more acid, irritating the stomach and intestines. Therefore, "wind-inducing" foods can largely promote the deterioration of diseases.
The best time to drink Chinese herbal medicine!
1. Take medicine before meals:
Generally, take the medicine 30 to 60 minutes before meals. For diseases located below the diaphragm, it is recommended to take medicine before meals to facilitate the downward flow of medicinal properties. For example, for patients with liver and kidney deficiency or diseases below the waist, taking medicine before meals is suitable. Treating gastrointestinal diseases should also involve taking medicine before meals because in an empty stomach state, the medicine liquid can directly contact the gastrointestinal mucosa, quickly pass through the stomach into the intestines, and be more effectively absorbed and exert its effects without being diluted by food in the stomach.
2. Take medicine after meals:
Generally, take the medicine 15 to 30 minutes after meals. For diseases located above the diaphragm, it is recommended to take medicine after meals. For example, when treating diseases of the heart, lungs, chest, and above the stomach, taking medicine after meals can promote the upward flow of medicinal properties. Medicines that have a stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract should be taken after meals to reduce damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa. Medicines with higher toxicity should also be taken after meals to avoid side effects caused by rapid absorption.
3. Take medicine between meals:
Taking medication between meals can avoid the influence of food on the medicine. This is suitable for medicines used to treat spleen and stomach diseases.
