How to Drink Chinese Medicine without the Bitter Taste?
If you have ever tried Chinese medicine, you must remember the bitter taste. How can we drink Chinese medicine without the bitterness? Let's take a look at a few methods to make drinking Chinese medicine less bitter.
How to Drink Chinese Medicine without the Bitter Taste? Methods to Drink Chinese Medicine without the Bitter Taste What to Do When Chinese Medicine Is Too Bitter to Drink
The saying goes, "Good medicine tastes bitter and is beneficial to the illness." Traditional Chinese medicine has always had the characteristic of "bitter taste" in its decoctions. How can we drink Chinese medicine without the bitterness? You can try the following methods.
Clever Tips to Drink Chinese Medicine without the Bitter Taste
1. Choose the Right Temperature
Research has shown that the sensitivity of taste is affected by the temperature of the stimulus itself. The normal temperature of the oral cavity is 36.2℃ to 37.2℃, and the temperature under 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 nerves are in the optimal working state, and their sensitivity is the highest. This means that the taste of the decoction will be the most bitter at this time. However, when the temperature of the decoction is above 38℃ or below 35℃, the taste nerves are less sensitive, and the bitterness will be reduced. The best temperature for taking 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, the temperature for taking Chinese medicine depends on its properties, and it is advisable to consult a doctor or pharmacist before choosing the temperature.
2. Swallow Quickly to Reduce Contact Time with Taste Buds
Taste buds are the receptors for taste, and the taste buds that perceive bitterness are mainly located on the tip and root of the tongue. There is a rumor that using a straw to drink Chinese medicine can reduce the bitterness, but this is not reliable. First, using a straw only intentionally avoids contact between the liquid and the tip of the tongue, but the liquid will eventually flow into the throat from the root of the tongue, so the bitterness can still be felt in the mouth. Second, using a straw increases the time it takes to take the medicine, thus prolonging the time the bitterness stays in the mouth. The correct way to take the medicine is to take a deep breath, hold your breath, and quickly swallow the liquid, then drink some warm water afterwards to clear the residual decoction in the mouth and reduce the lingering bitterness. This also helps the stomach and intestines absorb the medicine better.
3. Proper Use of Licorice and Red Dates
Most Chinese medicinal decoctions are composed of several or even dozens of medicinal materials. Adding sugar may cause a chemical reaction with one or several medicines, disrupting the nature and taste of the medicine, and reducing its effectiveness. According to traditional Chinese medicine, each medicinal material has different functions based on its nature and taste. For example, sweet-tasting medicines can tonify and harmonize the body, relieve pain, and bitter-tasting medicines can clear heat, promote bowel movements, and dry dampness. Spicy-tasting medicines can induce sweating, relieve the surface, and promote the circulation of qi and blood. If sugar or other sweeteners are used to mask the bitterness of Chinese medicine, it will inevitably affect the normal efficacy of the medicine.
Therefore, it is recommended to use as little or no sugar or other sweeteners in bitter-tasting herbal decoctions. If necessary, licorice and red dates can be added in appropriate amounts to harmonize the taste of the medicine and reduce the bitterness of the liquid.
It should be noted that the claim that "the human body has two golden periods for drug absorption, one from 8 to 10 in the morning and the other from 2 to 3 in the afternoon. Taking medicine during these two time periods can reduce bitterness" has no specific clinical evidence. One should not miss the optimal medication time and affect the efficacy of the medicine just to reduce bitterness. "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "For diseases above the diaphragm, take medicine after eating; for diseases below the heart and abdomen, take medicine before eating; for diseases related to the four 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 shows that the timing of taking medicine is closely related to the affected area, and it should not be changed arbitrarily to avoid bitterness.
How to Drink Chinese Medicine without the Bitter Taste? Methods to Drink Chinese Medicine without the Bitter Taste What to Do When Chinese Medicine Is Too Bitter to Drink
Everyone has different tolerance levels for bitterness. As long as the properties of the medicine are not altered, you can consult a traditional Chinese medicine pharmacist before taking the medicine. However, if inappropriate measures are taken to change the properties of the medicine and reduce its effectiveness due to fear of bitterness, the loss outweighs the gain.
How to Drink Chinese Medicine Well
1. Drink While Hot or After Cooling
Drink While Hot
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 medicinal decoctions are suitable for hot consumption.
Drink When Hot
Refers to taking the medicine when the liquid is relatively hot after it has been brewed. Spicy and warm medicines are suitable for treating symptoms such as body aches, headaches, and runny nose caused by wind and cold. Drinking the medicine when hot can help induce sweating and relieve the surface. When treating internal cold conditions, drinking the medicine when hot can help eliminate deep-seated cold.
Drink When Cold
Refers to taking the medicine after it has cooled down. Bitter and cold medicines that clear heat and detoxify, stop vomiting, and cool the body are suitable for consumption when cold.
2. Can You Eat Sugar after Drinking Chinese Medicine?
Some Chinese medicines are very bitter, and many people choose to eat sugar after drinking them. Does this affect the effectiveness of the medicine?
Actually, in general, it does not affect the effectiveness of the medicine. However, for patients with certain diseases, it is not advisable to eat sugar after drinking Chinese medicine, such as patients with cough, diabetes, or gastroenteritis.
