Most people are used to adding sugar to traditional Chinese medicine decoctions (especially when giving medicine to children) to make them taste better. However, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, sugar is also considered a type of medicine. In addition, adding sugar can affect the effectiveness and absorption of certain active ingredients in the medicine. So what should be done if Chinese medicine is too bitter?
1: Ways to make medicine taste less bitter
1. Timing of taking medicine:
Within a 24-hour period, the body has two "golden periods" for absorbing medicine, one from 8 am to 10 am and the other from 2 pm to 3 pm. Bitter Chinese medicine can be taken during these times after a meal.
2. Temperature of the medicine:
Taking Chinese medicine follows the principle of "cold substances should be heated, and hot substances should be cooled." However, this principle can be ignored when taking bitter Chinese medicine. Research has shown that the tongue is more sensitive to temperatures above 37°C, so the temperature of the bitter medicine decoction should be controlled between 15°C and 37°C. This can prevent scalding the mouth and reduce the bitterness and difficulty in drinking the medicine.
3. Position of holding and swallowing:
Research has shown that the taste receptors for bitterness are mainly concentrated in the front half of the tongue, with the tip of the tongue being the most sensitive. Therefore, after the medicine enters the mouth, it is best to quickly hold it at the back of the tongue and naturally swallow it, or use a spoon to directly send the medicine to the back of the tongue and swallow it smoothly.
4. Speed of taking medicine:
The longer the medicine stays in the mouth, the more bitter it will taste. Therefore, when taking bitter Chinese medicine, it is best to drink it quickly and cleanly.
5. Drink warm water after taking medicine:
This can facilitate the absorption of the medicine by the gastrointestinal tract and alleviate the bitterness of the medicine to some extent.
Chinese medicine used to treat coughs should not be sweetened, as some of these medicines mainly work by expectorating phlegm, and sugar can increase the secretion of phlegm, affecting the efficacy of the medicine. When there are no specific contraindications, it is acceptable to add some jujubes during the cooking process or add some honey after cooking to reduce the bitterness of the medicine.
2: Best time to take Chinese medicine
1. Take medicine before meals:
Generally, medicine should be taken 30-60 minutes before meals. If the disease is located in the lower part of the body, it is recommended to take the medicine before meals to facilitate the downward movement of the medicinal properties. This is suitable for conditions such as liver and kidney deficiency or diseases below the waist. When treating gastrointestinal diseases, it is also advisable to take the medicine before meals because in an empty stomach state, the medicine can directly contact the gastrointestinal mucosa, quickly pass through the stomach into the intestines, and be absorbed more effectively without being diluted by food in the stomach.
2. Take medicine after meals:
Generally, medicine should be taken 15-30 minutes after meals. If the disease is located in the upper part of the body, it is recommended to take the medicine after meals. For example, when treating diseases related to the heart, lungs, chest, or above the stomach, taking the medicine after meals can facilitate the upward movement of the medicinal properties. Medicines that have a stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract should also be taken after meals to reduce damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa. Medicines with greater toxicity should also be taken after meals to avoid side effects caused by too rapid absorption.
3. Take medicine between meals:
Taking medicine between meals can avoid the interference of food with the medicine. This is suitable for medicines used to treat spleen and stomach diseases.
