Although Western medicine has faster effects and is more convenient, it only treats the symptoms rather than the root cause. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may be slower in its effects, but it treats both the symptoms and the root cause. Therefore, people prefer using TCM to regulate their bodies. However, there are many dietary taboos when taking TCM. Let's learn about them together!
1. Avoid radishes when taking warming herbs
Ginseng is used to tonify qi, while radishes promote the movement of qi and relieve stagnation. If radishes are consumed together with ginseng, it may weaken the tonifying effect of ginseng. Other warming herbs such as American ginseng, codonopsis root, astragalus root, polygonum multiflorum, and cooked rehmannia root have similar effects to ginseng and are not suitable to be taken with radishes. Radishes, whether raw or cooked, promote the movement of qi, so it is important to avoid taking them with tonic herbs. Additionally, mung beans, which have heat-clearing and detoxifying properties, can also counteract the tonifying effects of herbs like ginseng.
2. Stomach-nourishing herbs "dislike" sticky rice
Foods such as sticky rice, meat, and beans are difficult to digest. People who are taking spleen-strengthening and stomach-nourishing herbs should consume less of these foods to avoid increasing the burden on the digestive system and affecting their recovery. For elderly people with weakened gastrointestinal function, eating too much of these foods often leads to excessive burden on the stomach and intestines.
3. Avoid spicy peppers when taking heat-clearing herbs
If you are taking bitter and cold herbs like rhubarb, coptis root, skullcap root, or cold herbs like moutan bark, phellodendron bark, honeysuckle flower, balloon flower root, mulberry leaf, or forsythia fruit, you should avoid eating spicy and stimulating foods such as chili peppers, black pepper, curry, and alcohol. Otherwise, it may weaken the therapeutic effects of the heat-clearing and cooling herbs.
4. Warming herbs "dislike" cold drinks
Although it may be freezing cold outside, the indoor environment created by heating and air conditioning is warm and comfortable. Many people still enjoy drinking cold beverages in the winter. This can unknowingly weaken the stomach and intestines. Consuming too many cold foods can lower the temperature of the stomach, which is not conducive to food digestion.
5. Avoid mangoes when treating allergies
Even in the winter in the northern regions, we can still buy tropical fruits like mangoes and lychees. Here, we want to remind everyone that apart from seafood and peanuts, mangoes and lychees are also considered "heaty" foods. People who are taking TCM for treating allergies such as asthma and dermatitis should avoid consuming these foods.
