Precautions for Taking Traditional Chinese Medicine: Dietary Restrictions for Optimal Efficacy

December 10, 2023

Many people choose to treat diseases with traditional Chinese medicine, but there are many precautions to be aware of when using it. Otherwise, it will not only affect the efficacy of the medicine but also may cause harm to the body. Therefore, during the period of taking medicine, it is necessary to consult with a doctor about dietary restrictions for your own health.

Avoid Spicy Food

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, spicy food is essentially pungent and warm. If you take some Chinese medicines that clear heat and detoxify at the same time, the efficacy of these medicines will be reduced due to these foods. Some Chinese medicines themselves can stimulate the stomach and intestines. If you eat spicy and irritating food at the same time, it will undoubtedly increase the burden on the stomach and intestines. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid spicy and irritating foods when taking Chinese medicine.

Avoid Raw Radish

Raw radish has the effects of breaking up qi and aiding digestion. If patients eat radish while taking ginseng and astragalus and other tonifying Chinese medicines, it will greatly weaken the efficacy of these medicinal herbs. Therefore, to maintain the efficacy of the medicine, it is necessary to avoid eating raw radish.

Avoid Strong Tea

Tea contains tannic acid, which will affect the absorption of Chinese medicine in the body and reduce its efficacy. No matter which medicinal herb you take, you must avoid strong tea. If you are not used to drinking plain water, you can choose light tea in moderation. Moreover, drinking tea should be done two hours after taking Chinese medicine to avoid affecting the efficacy of the medicine.

Avoid Cold and Raw Food

Cold and raw food itself can stimulate the stomach and intestines and affect the absorption function of the digestive system. If you eat cold and raw food while taking Chinese medicine, it will affect the absorption of the medicinal ingredients and the efficacy of the medicine, and it will also harm the stomach and intestines.

Avoid Seafood

Some Chinese medicines have volatility. When taking them, you should avoid eating fish and seafood to avoid affecting the efficacy of the medicine. Especially for patients with respiratory and skin diseases, they need to stay away from seafood to prevent allergy symptoms.

Avoid Greasy Food

Greasy food will affect the absorption of drugs in the stomach and intestines and reduce their efficacy. Therefore, during the period of taking medicine, you must stay away from greasy food, especially for patients with hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Greasy food should be eaten less in daily life. If you eat it at the same time as Chinese medicine, it will not only affect the efficacy of the medicine but also make the condition more severe.

Avoid Mung Beans

Mung beans are cold in nature and can achieve the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. However, mung beans can neutralize the efficacy of warm and heat-clearing Chinese medicines. To be on the safe side, it is better to stay away from mung beans during the period of taking Chinese medicine.

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