Chinese herbal decoctions have the advantages of minimal side effects and reliable efficacy, making them particularly suitable for long-term management of chronic diseases, and therefore widely welcomed by patients. However, Chinese herbal decoctions also have the drawback of being bitter and hard to swallow, which makes many patients (especially children) dread taking them. So, what methods can be used to reduce the bitterness of Chinese herbal decoctions? Based on clinical experience, here are several methods for everyone to use.
1. Before drinking
After the Chinese herbal decoction is boiled, it is important to let it cool for a while. Relevant data have shown that the taste sensation of the tongue is related to the temperature of the decoction. When the temperature of the decoction is the same as the body temperature at 37℃, the bitterness is the strongest. If the temperature is higher or lower than 37℃, the bitterness will be significantly reduced. Therefore, when taking Chinese herbal decoctions, it is advisable to lower the temperature of the decoction to below 37℃ before drinking, which will reduce the bitterness.
2. During drinking
When drinking Chinese herbal decoctions, it is important to quickly swallow the decoction down to the back of the throat. The tongue is the main location of taste receptors, and the tip of the tongue is the most sensitive to taste. Therefore, when drinking Chinese herbal decoctions, reducing the contact between the decoction and the tip of the tongue and minimizing the time the decoction stays in the mouth will also greatly reduce the bitterness. Alternatively, using a straw to directly drink the decoction can also be a clever method to reduce the bitterness.
3. After drinking
After taking Chinese herbal decoctions, immediately drink a few sips of warm water. This not only helps the absorption of the medicine by the stomach and intestines, but also eliminates the residual bitter components in the mouth, making you feel that taking the medicine is not daunting.
