"Good medicine tastes bitter but is beneficial to the body." Traditional Chinese medicine has always been known for its bitter taste. How can we drink Chinese medicine without the bitterness? You can try the following methods.
【Tips to Drink Chinese Medicine Without the Bitter Taste】
1. Choose the right temperature
Research has shown that the sensitivity of taste buds is influenced by the temperature of the stimulus. The normal temperature of the oral cavity is 36.2℃ to 37.2℃, and the temperature under the base of the tongue is 0.5℃ higher than the tongue surface. When the temperature of the herbal decoction is similar to the temperature around the tongue, the taste buds are in the optimal working state and the taste is most sensitive. This means that the herbal decoction tastes the most bitter at this temperature. However, when the temperature of the herbal decoction is above 38℃ or below 35℃, the taste buds are less sensitive, and the bitterness will be reduced. The recommended temperature for taking Chinese herbal decoctions is around 42℃ in early spring, late autumn, or winter (when the liquid feels slightly warm) and around 34℃ in late spring, early autumn, or summer (when the liquid feels slightly cool). However, Chinese herbal medicine also has variations in temperature administration based on its properties, so it is recommended to consult a doctor or pharmacist before choosing the temperature for taking the medicine.
2. Swallow quickly to reduce the contact time between the liquid and taste buds
Taste buds are the receptors for taste, and taste buds that perceive bitterness are mainly distributed on the tip and back of the tongue. It is not reliable to use a straw to drink Chinese medicine in order to reduce the bitterness. First, using a straw only avoids the contact between the liquid and the tip of the tongue, but the liquid still flows into the back of the tongue and throat, so the bitterness can still be perceived in the mouth. Second, using a straw increases the time of taking the medicine, thereby prolonging the time the bitterness lingers in the mouth. The correct way to take medicine is: take a deep breath, hold your breath, and swallow the liquid as quickly as possible. After taking the medicine, drink some warm water to clear the remnants of the herbal decoction in the mouth, reduce the residual bitterness, and facilitate better absorption of the medicine by the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Proper use of licorice and jujube
Most Chinese herbal decoctions are composed of several or even dozens of medicinal ingredients. Adding sugar may cause a chemical reaction with one or more of the ingredients, disrupting the properties and reducing the effectiveness of the medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that different tastes of herbs have different functions. Sweet herbs can nourish and harmonize, and relieve pain. Bitter herbs can clear heat, promote bowel movements, and dry dampness. Spicy herbs can induce sweating, release the surface, and promote blood circulation. If sugar is added to mask the bitterness of Chinese herbal medicine, it will inevitably affect the normal expression of the medicinal properties.
Therefore, it is advisable to use as little or no sugar and other sweeteners in bitter herbal liquids. If necessary, a suitable amount of licorice or jujube can be added to harmonize the various ingredients and reduce the bitterness of the liquid.
It is also important to note that the claim circulating online that "there are two golden periods for the absorption of drugs in the human body, one is from 8 am to 10 am, and the other is from 2 pm to 3 pm. Taking medication during these two time periods can reduce the bitterness" is not supported by solid clinical evidence. One should not miss the optimal medication time and compromise the effectiveness of the medicine just to reduce bitterness. "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "For diseases above the diaphragm, it is advisable to eat before taking medicine; for diseases below the diaphragm, take medicine before eating; for diseases related to the limbs and blood vessels, take medicine on an empty stomach during the day; for diseases related to the bone marrow, take medicine when full at night." This indicates that the timing of taking medicine is closely related to the affected area of the disease, and it should not be changed arbitrarily to avoid bitterness.
Everyone has different tolerance to bitterness. As long as the properties of the medicine are not altered, it is acceptable to consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner before taking the medicine. However, if inappropriate measures are taken to alter the properties of the medicine and reduce its effectiveness due to the fear of bitterness, it may not be worth the loss.
【How to Properly Drink Chinese Medicine】
1. Drink while hot or after cooling
Drink while warm
This refers to taking the medicine at a temperature of 25-30 degrees Celsius when the liquid is neither cold nor hot. Unless otherwise specified, most Chinese herbal decoctions are suitable for warm consumption.
Drink while hot
This refers to taking the medicine when the liquid is relatively hot after it has been boiled. Spicy and warm herbs are suitable for treating symptoms such as body aches, headaches, sneezing, and runny nose caused by wind-cold. Drinking the medicine while hot can help induce sweating and release the surface. When treating internal cold conditions, taking the medicine while hot can help dispel deep-seated cold.
Drink while cool
This refers to taking the medicine after the liquid has cooled down. Bitter and cold herbs that clear heat internally can be taken while cool to help eliminate internal heat. Detoxifying herbs, antiemetic herbs, and heat-clearing herbs are all suitable for cool consumption.
2. Can you eat sugar after drinking Chinese medicine?
Some Chinese herbal medicines are very bitter, and many people choose to eat sugar after drinking them. Does this affect the effectiveness of the medicine?
In general, it does not affect the effectiveness of the medicine. However, for patients with certain diseases such as cough, diabetes, and gastroenteritis, it is not advisable to eat sugar after drinking Chinese medicine.
