Some people always drink traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) while it is hot. However, according to TCM experts, although many TCM prescriptions require warm consumption, it is not always the case, and there are many decoctions that need to be cooled before drinking.
Traditional TCM theory places great emphasis on the temperature of orally administered decoctions, with over ten different methods of consumption. Specifically, the temperature of the medicinal liquid can be categorized into three types: warm consumption, hot consumption, and cool consumption.
Generally, TCM decoctions should be consumed "warm", meaning that the medicinal liquid should be filtered immediately after boiling. It should be allowed to cool to 30℃~37℃ before drinking. Pills and granules of Chinese patent medicines should be taken with warm water, which is also a form of warm consumption. For TCM prescriptions that dispel wind-cold, they should be "hot consumed", and it is recommended to eat hot rice or drink hot water after consumption to enhance the effectiveness of the medicine. On the other hand, medicines that detoxify and clear heat, especially those used to relieve summer heat, are better consumed "cool".
In the southern regions, it is common to consume "cooling tea" during the summer, which is also a type of TCM. As the name suggests, many cooling teas are better consumed after cooling, as they have a better effect in relieving heat.
When it comes to consuming TCM, generally speaking, medicines for treating heat-related diseases can be consumed cool, while medicines for treating cold-related conditions are better consumed hot. Patients should adjust the temperature of consumption according to their own conditions. Patients with "yang diseases" often exhibit symptoms of heat, such as overall fever, thirst, dry stools, short yellow urine, oral ulcers, red tongue, yellow tongue coating, and rapid pulse. On the other hand, "yin diseases" often manifest as cold-related symptoms, such as chills and fever, no sweating, cold abdominal pain, cold limbs, fatigue, diarrhea with clear mucus, edema, pale tongue, and thin white tongue coating.
In TCM prescriptions, there is a trick: generally, prescriptions referred to as "soup" are mostly consumed hot, while those referred to as "drink" are mostly consumed cool. This is because the terms "soup" and "drink" themselves have temperature differences in ancient language. However, as a precaution, patients should still consult with TCM practitioners about the specific consumption methods after receiving the prescription to avoid any deviations.
