The Importance of Temperature in Medication Administration

December 2, 2023

When taking medication, it is also important to pay attention to the temperature. For the treatment of general diseases, decoctions are usually taken warm. However, for specific treatment needs, special administration methods should be followed. Qi-regulating medicines are more effective when taken warm as heat promotes relaxation and coldness can cause stagnation. Blood-activating, blood-nourishing, blood-cooling, and blood-stopping medicines tend to cause congestion when taken cold, while heat can cause boiling and overflowing. Detoxifying agents are best taken cold as it facilitates the expulsion of toxins, whereas taking them hot can lead to the spread of toxins. Heat-regulating diseases should be treated with cold administration, while cold-regulating diseases should be treated with hot administration to disperse and assist the efficacy of the medicine. Medicines that promote blood circulation and unblock meridians and tendons should be taken hot, while those that consolidate and stop bleeding should be taken cold. Thirst-quenching and heat-dispelling medicines should be taken hot, as they are usually pungent and dispersing, which helps relax the muscles and skin. Clearing heat and relieving summer heat medicines should be taken cold. In cases of high fever, cold medicines should be taken warm, while in cases of extreme cold, hot medicines should be taken cold. For decoctions that should not be taken cold, ingestion may cause gastrointestinal irritation, leading to abdominal pain or vomiting. In such cases, rubbing the tongue with ginger can alleviate the symptoms.

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