People often say that good medicine tastes bitter, and there is a reason behind this saying. Those who have tried Chinese medicine know that it has a very bitter taste, but its effectiveness is significant. So how can we alleviate the bitterness of Chinese medicine without affecting its efficacy?
Methods to Alleviate the Bitterness of Chinese Medicine
1. Adjust the Water Temperature
The temperature inside the mouth is generally around 36.2~37.2℃, which is when the taste buds are most sensitive. If the temperature of the water or herbal decoction used to take the medicine is close to this temperature, the bitterness is more easily felt. When the temperature is higher than 38℃ or lower than 36℃, the taste buds are less sensitive, and the bitterness is reduced. However, if the herbal decoction is hotter than 38℃ and the temperature is not controlled properly, it may scald the oral mucosa. It is recommended to control the water temperature between 20~36℃ when taking medicine to reduce the sensitivity of taste buds to bitterness.
2. Drink Some Warm Water
After taking the medicine, immediately rinse the mouth with cold water, and then drink some warm water. This not only helps the absorption of the medicine but also alleviates the bitterness. This method utilizes the principle of changing the oral temperature.
3. Use Lemon Water
If there are no specific contraindications, you can rinse with plain water immediately after taking the medicine, and then drink a small amount of warm boiled water. Soaking a few slices of lemon in the warm boiled water can also alleviate the bitterness of the medicine, but do not add sugar to the water just because you are afraid of acidity. Lemon water not only alleviates the bitterness of the medicine but also freshens the breath, reducing the medicinal taste in the mouth.
4. Drink Some Diluted Honey Water
If you find the medicine particularly bitter and want to alleviate it with sweetness, you can rinse your mouth with diluted honey water, but it is not recommended to drink a large amount immediately after taking the medicine. Some medicines can be combined with honey to improve the bitterness, but you should consult a doctor first.
Does Eating Sugar After Taking Chinese Medicine Affect Its Efficacy?
After taking the medicine, some people may eat sugar or sweets, thinking that it will not affect the efficacy. However, this idea is incorrect. The bitterness of the medicine can be alleviated by drinking water.
Eating sugar can slow down the emptying of the stomach contents, inhibit the absorption of the medicine, and delay the effects of corticosteroids, sulfonamide antibiotics, and other drugs. The bitter components of Chinese medicine generally have functions such as clearing heat and detoxifying, invigorating the stomach, aiding digestion, and antibacterial effects. The bitterness of stomach-invigorating Chinese medicines like Jianwei San and Longdan Xiegan Formula can stimulate the secretion of digestive glands, thus improving appetite and aiding digestion. Eating sweets after taking the medicine may affect this effect. When taking bitter medicines for treating damp-heat diseases (such as Da Huang Qing Wei Wan for constipation), eating sweets can easily retain the pathogenic factors.
In traditional Chinese medicine, there is a concept of "food and medicine having the same origin," and sugar is also considered as a medicinal substance. If you eat sugar after taking medicine, it may affect the medicine you took earlier. Adding sugar can also affect the effectiveness and absorption of certain active ingredients in the medicine. For example, brown sugar contains iron and calcium, which can easily interact with some components of Chinese medicine, affecting the therapeutic effect. Adding sugar to antipyretic Chinese medicine may weaken its heat-clearing effect. To minimize the impact on the medicine, it is best to wait for two hours after taking the medicine before eating sweets.
