There is a particular emphasis on the timing of taking traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Mastering the correct timing of medication not only helps to minimize adverse reactions but also enhances therapeutic effects. The timing of taking Chinese herbal medicines should be determined based on the patient's condition. If the disease is below the stomach (such as liver disease, kidney disease, etc.), it is generally recommended to take the medicine 30-60 minutes before meals. For diseases above the stomach (such as heart, lung, chest, etc.), it is best to take the medicine 15-30 minutes after meals. In addition to following this basic principle, the nature of the medicine should also be considered. For example, medicines that clear heat and detoxify, lubricate the intestines, or nourish the body are best taken on an empty stomach. Stomach-tonifying medicines or those that stimulate the gastrointestinal tract are better taken after meals. Anthelmintic drugs should be taken overnight (once before bedtime and once on an empty stomach the next morning). Laxatives should be discontinued once they take effect and should not be overdosed. Sedatives should be taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before bedtime. Antimalarial drugs should be taken 2 hours before the onset of symptoms. Menstrual regulating drugs are generally taken before or during the menstrual period.
The temperature of taking Chinese herbal medicines is also important. In general, it is recommended to take the decoction at a warm temperature, which means letting the decoction cool to 30℃~40℃ before consumption. However, for medicines that release exterior pathogenic factors, dispel cold, or promote blood circulation, they should be taken while hot. On the other hand, medicines for treating febrile diseases, clearing heat and detoxification, and stopping vomiting should be taken after the decoction has cooled down.
The dosage of Chinese herbal medicines differs between adults and children. For adults, the recommended dosage is generally 150-200 milliliters per dose. For feverish patients taking medicines for clearing heat and detoxification, a slightly larger amount of the decoction can be consumed. Children and critically ill patients should take a smaller dosage.
Most people know that Chinese herbal decoctions are usually prepared once a day, with the first and second decoctions mixed evenly and taken in the morning and evening. Ouyang Rong reminds us that medicines for clearing heat and detoxification can be taken 3-4 times a day. For example, if a person has a high fever that does not subside, they can take medicines for promoting sweating and releasing exterior pathogenic factors every 4 hours, regardless of day or night.
Some patients add sugar to the decoction to mask the bitter taste, but this practice is not advisable. White sugar has a cooling property, while brown sugar has a warming property. If white sugar is added to a warm decoction or brown sugar is added to a cool decoction, it will weaken the medicinal properties. Brown sugar contains a relatively high amount of iron, calcium, and other elements, which can react with proteins and tannins in the herbal medicines, resulting in precipitation and affecting the efficacy. In addition, some medicines rely on bitterness to stimulate the secretion of digestive glands in order to exert their therapeutic effects, such as Coptis chinensis. Adding sugar would negate this effect.
Dietary restrictions should be followed during the course of taking Chinese herbal medicines. It is advisable to avoid consuming raw, cold, sticky, and spicy foods before and after taking the medicine. It is also best to avoid drinking tea, coffee, milk, or soy milk for about an hour before and after taking Chinese herbal medicines. For feverish patients with a cold, their diet should be light, such as rice porridge and lotus root powder. Patients with chronic diarrhea should eat spleen-strengthening and stomach-nourishing foods such as Chinese yam, lotus seeds, and coix seed, and should avoid raw vegetables, fruits, and cold foods. Edema patients should avoid salty foods. Patients with liver and gallbladder diseases should avoid greasy foods. Patients with skin diseases should avoid seafood, spicy foods, and so on. When taking sedatives for insomnia, avoid drinking tea or coffee. When taking tonifying medicines such as ginseng and astragalus, it is not advisable to eat hawthorn or radish. Diabetic patients should control their intake of staple foods and sweets. When taking phlegm-resolving and cough-stopping drugs, it is advisable to consume less sugar and spicy foods. Women should avoid consuming raw and cold foods and alcohol during menstruation.
