1. Avoid eating radishes and garlic when consuming ginseng: Western ginseng and side-root ginseng are common tonics, while radishes have a qi-regulating and digestion-promoting effect. When consumed together, radishes will neutralize the medicinal properties of ginseng. Similarly, when taking other tonics, radishes, garlic, and other digestion-promoting foods should not be consumed within one hour before or after taking the tonic.
2. Avoid garlic when taking Shuanghuanglian: Shuanghuanglian is a common medicine for clearing heat and detoxifying, and it is used to treat external wind-heat conditions. It has a cooling nature, while garlic has a hot nature. Consuming garlic while taking Shuanghuanglian will reduce the effectiveness of the medicine.
3. Avoid cold drinks when taking Banlangen: Banlangen has a cooling nature, so if you drink cold beverages before or after taking it, it will add more coldness and may cause diarrhea. Similarly, foods with cooling properties such as mung beans, bananas, and cucumbers should not be consumed together with Banlangen.
4. Avoid vinegar and cold/raw foods when taking sweating medicine: Vinegar and cold/raw foods have a constricting effect. If taken together with sweating medicine, they will counteract the medicinal effects.
5. Avoid fish, shrimp, and goose meat when taking medication for skin conditions: Fish and shrimp are rich in protein, and goose meat is fibrous. People with skin allergies are prone to allergic reactions to these substances, so they should be avoided.
There is a general principle for avoiding certain foods when taking Chinese herbal medicine: When taking warm or cool herbal medicine, try to consume neutral and balanced foods. This is because the nature and taste of herbal medicine are often opposite to that of food, which can weaken the medicinal properties and reduce the desired therapeutic effects. In some cases, when the nature and taste of the medicine and the food are the same, the strength of the medicine on the body may increase beyond the body's tolerance, resulting in adverse effects.
