A good medicine tastes bitter, and everyone knows that. The problem is, some medicines are just unbearably bitter and difficult to swallow.
Most traditional Chinese medicines have a bitter taste, making them hard to take.
Most traditional Chinese medicines have a bitter taste, making them hard to take. Sometimes, some illnesses require multiple doses, and some people really struggle to swallow them, with furrowed brows and tears in their eyes.
Based on the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and my years of experience taking Chinese medicine, I have summarized six methods to reduce the bitterness of Chinese medicine, making it easier to take.
The methods to reduce the bitterness of Chinese medicine are as follows:
① Master the timing of taking medicine
Within a 24-hour day, there are two "golden periods" for the body to absorb medication, one from 8 am to 10 am, and one from 2 pm to 3 pm. Bitter Chinese medicines can be taken during these times after a meal.
② Control the temperature of the medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes "heat for cold and cold for heat." However, this principle doesn't have to strictly apply to bitter Chinese medicine. Research has shown that the tongue is more sensitive to temperatures above 37°C, so the temperature of the bitter Chinese medicine decoction should be controlled between 15°C and 37°C. This can prevent burning the mouth and reduce the bitterness and difficulty of swallowing.
③ Master the location of holding and swallowing
Research has shown that the taste receptors for bitterness in humans are mainly concentrated in the front half of the tongue, with the tip of the tongue being the most sensitive.
Therefore, after the medicine liquid enters the mouth, it is best to quickly hold it at the root of the tongue and swallow it naturally. Alternatively, the medicine liquid can be directly sent to the root of the tongue using a spoon and swallowed smoothly.
④ Control the speed of taking medicine
The longer the medicine liquid stays in the mouth, the more bitter it tastes. Therefore, it is important to take bitter Chinese medicine quickly and cleanly, letting it pass through the mouth swiftly.
⑤ Drink an appropriate amount of warm water after taking medicine
This not only aids the absorption of the medicine by the gastrointestinal tract but also helps alleviate the bitterness of the medicine to some extent.
⑥ Add condiments
Add honey, cane sugar, etc., to the bitter medicine liquid, but try to use fewer or no condiments for herbs like Coptis chinensis and Radix Scutellariae. If necessary, licorice and Chinese dates can be added for harmony.
