What Not to Eat When Drinking Traditional Chinese Medicine? (Part 2)
When seeing a traditional Chinese doctor, they will often advise us on dietary restrictions because certain foods can affect the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. So, what should we avoid eating when drinking traditional Chinese medicine?
6. In summary, the following six types of foods should be avoided when drinking traditional Chinese medicine:
1) Foods that induce "heat" in the body: These foods can aggravate symptoms such as redness and swelling. Examples include mushrooms, bamboo shoots, mustard greens, pumpkin, chicken, pig's head meat, and pig's trotters. Depending on the specific condition, certain foods should be avoided. For example, patients with liver yang hyperactivity should avoid chicken and pig's head meat, while patients with skin conditions such as boils and abscesses should avoid mushrooms, bamboo shoots, chicken, pig's head meat, and pig's trotters, as these can accelerate inflammation and suppuration. Patients with gastrointestinal diseases should avoid pumpkin as it contains sugar, which can cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. In general, foods that induce "heat" can worsen the condition.
2) Cold foods: These foods have a cooling effect and are suitable for treating heat-related conditions. However, they can affect the function of the stomach and intestines, so they should be avoided by those with weak constitutions or gastrointestinal disorders. For example, radishes are cooling in nature and can aid digestion and relieve phlegm. However, consuming them can exacerbate cold symptoms in individuals with weak constitutions or gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, radishes should not be consumed together with ginseng or other tonics, as they have opposing effects.
3) Spicy foods: These foods have a warming effect and can invigorate the stomach. However, excessive consumption can lead to phlegm and heat accumulation, which is not suitable for individuals with yin deficiency and excessive yang, blood disorders, febrile diseases, hemorrhoids, or abscesses. Examples include onions, garlic, leeks, ginger, alcohol, and chili. Chili, for example, is hot in nature and can worsen "heat" symptoms in individuals with fever, constipation, short and red urine, dry mouth and throat, nosebleeds, and red tongue. As a result, patients with heat-related conditions should avoid consuming chili when seeking traditional Chinese medical treatment.
4) Fishy foods: These foods are often salty and cold in nature, and contain allergenic proteins. Excessive consumption can harm the spleen and stomach, and can induce diseases. Therefore, individuals with spleen and stomach disorders or those who are prone to allergies should avoid consuming these foods. Examples include yellow croaker, carp, hairtail, clam meat, shrimp, and crab. Yellow croaker, sardine, catfish, yellowfish, crab, and mud snail are more likely to cause allergies. Fishy foods are also considered "heat-inducing" foods.
5) Greasy foods: This category includes animal fats and deep-fried foods. Greasy foods can impair the function of the spleen and stomach, so they should be avoided by individuals with external diseases, jaundice, and diarrhea. Deep-fried foods are hard and dry, making them difficult to digest. They should be avoided by those with gastrointestinal disorders and "heat" symptoms.
6) Sour and astringent foods: Excessive sourness can irritate the intestines and stomach, so individuals with excessive stomach acid or gastrointestinal ulcers should avoid them. Most astringent foods contain tannins. For example, tea contains tannins, and stronger teas have higher concentrations. When consumed together with traditional Chinese medicine, the tannins in tea can form precipitates with certain proteins, alkaloids, and heavy metal salts in the medicine, affecting the absorption of active ingredients and also affecting the absorption of proteins and other nutrients. Therefore, it is generally not recommended to consume strong tea when taking traditional Chinese medicine.
