When taking Chinese medicine, it is important to pay attention to the method and timing of medication. Drinking Chinese medicine at the optimal time can maximize its effectiveness. So when is the best time to drink Chinese medicine and absorb it?
【When is the best time to drink Chinese medicine and absorb it】
1. When is the best time to drink and absorb Chinese medicine?
a. Before meals:
Generally, take the medicine 30-60 minutes before meals. If the disease is located in the lower part of the body, it is better to take the medicine before meals, such as for liver and kidney deficiency or diseases below the waist. For treating gastrointestinal diseases, it is also better to take the medicine before meals because the liquid can directly contact the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and be quickly absorbed and effective when the stomach is empty, without being diluted by food in the stomach.
b. After meals: Generally, take the medicine 15-30 minutes after meals. If the disease is located in the upper part of the body, it is better to take the medicine after meals. For treating diseases related to the heart, lungs, chest, and above the stomach, taking the medicine after meals can make the medicine work upward. For medicines that may irritate the stomach and intestines, taking them after meals can reduce damage to the mucous membrane. Medicines with high toxicity should also be taken after meals to avoid side effects caused by rapid absorption.
c. Between meals: Take the medicine between meals to avoid the influence of food on the medication. This is suitable for treating spleen and stomach diseases.
2. Radish:
Whether taking Chinese medicine or Western medicine, it is advisable to avoid eating radishes during the medication period. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the medicine will be greatly affected. Many people do not see improvement in their condition even after taking a large amount of medication, which is closely related to improper diet. Especially when taking Chinese medicine, radishes should not be eaten, except for some medicines that promote digestion and phlegm elimination. The reason why radishes should not be eaten during this period is that radishes have the effects of promoting digestion and dispelling gas, especially when taking nourishing Chinese medicines such as ginseng and astragalus. Radishes can weaken the nourishing effects of ginseng and other medicines, thus reducing their therapeutic and nourishing effects. Therefore, people who often take Chinese medicine should pay attention to avoiding radishes. When is the best time to drink and absorb Chinese medicine?
3. Spicy food:
Various spicy foods should also be avoided by people who are taking Chinese medicine, as they can weaken the effectiveness of the medicine or even cause serious harm to the body when combined with the Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine in China points out that spicy foods are generally warm in nature and consume Qi and generate fire. Therefore, when taking Chinese medicines that clear heat and toxins, nourish Yin and increase fluids, or cool blood and nourish Yin, it is best to avoid these foods. During the treatment of abscesses and ulcers, it is also advisable to avoid eating spicy foods.
【How to drink Chinese medicine】
1. Control the dosage:
There is an old saying that "Chinese medicine should fill the intestines", indicating that the more Chinese medicine taken at a time, the better. However, drinking a large amount of bitter medicine is uncomfortable for the digestive tract. The dosage of medication should also vary from person to person. Based on years of clinical practice, it is best to take one dose per day, with three decoctions, mix the juice, about 750ml in total, and take it in three doses of 250ml each. When is the best time to drink and absorb Chinese medicine?
2. Pay attention to the method of taking medicine:
When taking medicine, prepare a cup of warm water first, then hold your breath, drink the Chinese medicine in one breath, rinse your mouth with warm water, and finally chew gum to alleviate the bitterness. Some patients, in order to get rid of the bitterness, like to add sugar to the Chinese medicine. This method is not appropriate, and it is best to follow the doctor's instructions on whether to add sugar or not.
Research shows that the taste buds for bitterness are mainly concentrated on the front half of the tongue, with the tip of the tongue being the most prominent.
Therefore, after the liquid medicine enters the mouth, it is best to quickly hold it at the back of the tongue, naturally swallow it, or use a spoon to directly send the liquid to the back of the tongue and swallow it.
3. Control the speed of taking medicine:
The longer the medicine stays in the mouth, the more bitter it tastes. Therefore, it is recommended to take bitter Chinese medicines quickly and cleanly, so that the bitterness is gone in an instant.
4. Drink an appropriate amount of warm water after taking medicine:
This is beneficial for the absorption of the medicine in the gastrointestinal tract and can also alleviate the bitterness of the medicine to a certain extent.
【How to prepare Chinese medicine】
1. Boiling water:
Generally, use clean tap water. Do not use water that has been boiled repeatedly or overnight for boiling Chinese medicine.
2. Amount of water:
The empirical amount of water is about 3-5cm above the surface of the medicine; the theoretical calculation is to add 10mL of water for every 1g of Chinese medicine, with 70% of the total water used for the first decoction and the remaining 30% used for the second decoction.
3. Fire for boiling:
Generally, follow the principle of "high heat before boiling, low heat after boiling", which means that use high heat before boiling to quickly bring the water to a boil, and then use low heat to maintain a simmer to reduce moisture evaporation.
4. Boiling time:
The boiling time is calculated from the time the water boils. Generally, for heat-clearing medicines, the first decoction should be boiled for 10-15 minutes, and the second decoction for 10 minutes. For nourishing medicines, the first decoction should be boiled for 30-40 minutes, and the second decoction for 25-30 minutes. Controlling the boiling time is because long-term high-temperature boiling can damage plant cells and increase the insoluble ineffective components in the medicinal liquid. Long-term boiling also carries the risk of burning and charring the medicine. When is the best time to drink and absorb Chinese medicine?
5. Number of decoctions:
Generally, decoct 2-3 times to extract 80%-90% of the medicinal ingredients. Filter the decoction promptly after boiling and mix the decoctions for consumption in divided doses.
