We all know that many traditional Chinese medicines should not be taken on an empty stomach. Honeysuckle is a common Chinese medicinal herb. So, can you drink honeysuckle on an empty stomach?
Can You Drink Honeysuckle on an Empty Stomach?
It is not recommended to drink honeysuckle on an empty stomach.
Honeysuckle is a good medicine for clearing heat and detoxifying. It has a strong effect of clearing heat and can be used to treat various heat-related diseases, such as fever, rash, spots, heat-toxic sores and boils, and sore throat. However, because honeysuckle has a cold nature, taking it on an empty stomach may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, especially for people with weak digestion. Drinking honeysuckle on an empty stomach may cause or worsen diarrhea or loose stools.
What to Do If You Drink Honeysuckle on an Empty Stomach
1. Observe Your Own Reactions
For adults with healthy digestion, taking honeysuckle on an empty stomach may not cause any discomfort and does not require any special treatment. For those with weak digestion, if diarrhea or loose stools occur after taking honeysuckle and the symptoms are not severe, temporarily stopping the intake of honeysuckle for a period of time will naturally alleviate the symptoms.
2. Drink Warm Water
After taking honeysuckle on an empty stomach, if you experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, or loose stools, you can drink more warm water. This can help alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms and promote the rapid elimination of residual honeysuckle from the body, in order to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
3. Seek Medical Attention
If after taking honeysuckle on an empty stomach, severe abdominal symptoms occur or other discomforts that cannot be relieved by self-care, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately for symptomatic treatment such as fluid replacement and anti-diarrhea medications.
When to Drink Honeysuckle Soaked Water
Drink it 30-60 minutes after a meal.
Taking honeysuckle on an empty stomach stimulates the spleen and stomach to a certain extent, affecting the digestion function of the gastrointestinal tract, which is not beneficial to the health of the digestive system. Therefore, it is recommended to take honeysuckle half an hour to an hour after a meal. This is also the time when gastric enzymes are most active, allowing for better absorption of the medicinal effects of honeysuckle.
What Else to Pay Attention to When Drinking Honeysuckle
1. Pay Attention to the Dosage
The recommended dosage of honeysuckle is 10-30 grams. It is not advisable to take a large amount of honeysuckle, as its cold nature may stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and cause discomfort such as loose stools and diarrhea.
2. Avoid Long-term Use
It is generally recommended to stop taking honeysuckle once the symptoms improve. Prolonged use of honeysuckle is not good for the health of the digestive system, and may even lead to weakness of the spleen and stomach.
3. Avoid Taking During Menstruation
For women, it is recommended to avoid taking honeysuckle during menstruation. Honeysuckle's cold nature may affect the discharge of menstrual blood and may cause or worsen symptoms such as dysmenorrhea and blood clotting.
Contraindications for Drinking Honeysuckle
1. Caution for Those with Weak Spleen and Stomach
Symptoms such as vague stomachache, cold pain and discomfort, fatigue, unsteady hands and feet, and thin stools indicate a weak spleen and stomach. Honeysuckle's cold nature may stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and worsen the discomfort symptoms in individuals with weak spleen and stomach, possibly causing symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
2. Caution for Those with Wind-cold Cold
Honeysuckle has a strong effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, and can be used to treat various heat-related conditions. However, the treatment for wind-cold cold should focus on warming the lungs and dispelling cold. Taking honeysuckle may worsen symptoms such as cough, phlegm, runny nose, and sneezing.
