Modern people usually pay attention to keywords such as "before meals," "after meals," and "on an empty stomach" when taking medication. This is because many drugs can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, and it is often recommended to take them after meals to avoid side effects. However, the timing of medication has been emphasized by medical professionals since ancient times. Xu Lingtai, a famous medical expert in the Qing Dynasty, once said, "If the treatment is ineffective, it is not only because the prescription doesn't match the disease, but also because the medication is not taken properly, which not only has no effect but may also be harmful..." Ancient people have accumulated valuable experience regarding the timing of medication through thousands of years of practice, such as taking medication before meals, after meals, in the morning, before sleep, on an empty stomach, and intermittently.
The timing of taking traditional Chinese medicine should be determined based on the condition, the efficacy of the medicine, and other specific circumstances. "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" once stated: "For diseases above the diaphragm, take medicine after eating. For diseases below the diaphragm, take medicine before eating. For diseases in the limbs and blood vessels, take medicine on an empty stomach in the morning. For diseases in the bone marrow, take medicine when the stomach is full at night." In other words, medication should be taken before meals, after meals, in the morning, or before sleep, depending on the location of the disease.
Before Meals
For diseases below the diaphragm, such as stomach, liver, and kidney diseases, it is recommended to take medication before meals to facilitate digestion and absorption of the medicine. Ge Hong, a famous medical scholar in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, said, "Taking medicine on an empty stomach when you haven't eaten can easily allow the toxic effects to take effect." Taking medicine before meals helps to maximize the effectiveness of the medicine.
After Meals
For diseases above the diaphragm, such as dizziness, headaches, eye disorders, and sore throat, it is recommended to take medication after meals to allow the medicine to move upwards. Digestive aids and medications that may irritate the gastrointestinal tract are also better taken after meals.
Empty Stomach in the Morning
Medication for diseases related to the limbs and blood vessels, especially those that nourish kidney yang, laxatives, and antiparasitic medications, are best taken on an empty stomach in the morning. The body's yang energy rises with the natural yang energy in the morning, and under the stimulation of yang energy, the medicine can quickly reach the affected area and take effect.
Morning
In the morning, it is suitable to take medications that tonify qi and promote yang, as well as those that induce sweating and expel external pathogens. Li Dongyuan believed, "The morning belongs to yang, so it's suitable for inducing sweating; the afternoon belongs to yin, so inducing sweating is not appropriate." He also emphasized that qi-tonifying and yang-promoting medicines should be taken in the morning to facilitate the easy flow of yang energy.
Afternoon
In the afternoon or evening, it is suitable to take purgative medications (such as Da Chengqi Tang). Li Dongyuan said, "Purgative medications should be taken after noon, as it is the time when yin prevails and downward movement is appropriate." Other medical experts also agree that purgative medications should not be taken in the morning.
Before Sleep
Sedatives, medications to treat nocturnal emissions, and mild laxatives are best taken before sleep, as it facilitates absorption the next morning.
Immediate Administration
Immediate administration is generally suitable for patients with urgent conditions, where the decoction is immediately consumed after preparation. This method is called immediate administration, as it emphasizes the need for prompt treatment for acute illnesses. "Qian Jin Fang" states: "When making decoctions, it is not necessary to consider auspicious or inauspicious times of the day. If the illness occurs suddenly, it should be treated immediately, regardless of the time of day. This will lead to a faster recovery." Currently, immediate administration is also used for high fever, infectious diseases, and pediatric emergencies.
It is important to note that many patients today have spleen and stomach deficiencies, and most medications are not suitable for taking on an empty stomach. It is generally better to take medication in the morning or afternoon. For most medications, it is recommended to take them twice a day, at least one hour after meals or in a semi-fasting state. Medications should not be taken after 9 PM to avoid affecting medication absorption and nighttime sleep.
