Things to know when using traditional Chinese medicine decoctions.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, decocting herbs is already a rather complex and elaborate process, but knowing how to consume them correctly after decocting is also a very important issue.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, decocting herbs is already a rather complex and elaborate process, but knowing how to consume them correctly after decocting is also a very important issue.
Should you drink it hot, warm, or cold?
Typically, after decocting the herbs, the liquid is poured into a bowl and allowed to cool slightly to a comfortable temperature—neither hot nor cold—before drinking. This is called drinking warm. This method is most commonly used because it is physiologically appropriate. However, for patients with cold-related conditions such as colds caused by wind and cold, or diarrhea due to cold, the medicine should be drunk hot to enhance its cooling effect. Conversely, for patients with heat-related conditions such as fever, dry lips and throat, mouth ulcers, constipation, or scanty, reddish urine, the medicine should be allowed to cool completely before drinking to enhance its heat-clearing effect. Herbs that should be drunk warm usually have relatively mild medicinal properties, focusing on nourishing and regulating the body; when decocting, a low flame (gentle fire) is used. Herbs that should be drunk hot usually have warming medicinal properties; when decocting, a high flame (strong fire) is used, and the decoction is quick. Herbs that should be drunk cold usually have cooling medicinal properties; when decocting, a slightly longer time is used.
When should I drink it?
The effectiveness of medicine depends not only on using the correct medicine for the ailment and preparing it properly, but also on the timing of its administration. For optimal absorption and maximum effect, tonic medicines should be taken early in the morning before breakfast; medicines that strengthen the spleen, promote bowel movements (laxatives), and eliminate worms should be taken on an empty stomach, before meals; digestive medicines and those that irritate the stomach and intestines should be taken after meals; medicines that promote upward movement and warm and tonify qi should be taken between early morning and before midday; medicines that nourish yin and yang blood, and medicines that clear and reduce heat in the yin aspect should be taken in the evening; and medicines that eliminate evil influences in the qi and yang aspects should be taken early in the morning...
What can I do to reduce nausea when taking medication?
Those taking traditional Chinese medicine decoctions for the first time often experience nausea, and may even vomit immediately, especially when taking bitter-tasting, heat-clearing and detoxifying medicines. Furthermore, while under stress, closing your eyes and covering your nose while trying to gulp down the entire bowl of medicine at once can result in vomiting, wasting both energy and medicine. To minimize this, it's crucial to remain calm, relax your nerves, avoid rushing, pay attention to the temperature of the medicine, and consider whether to take it before or after meals. Take a small sip, hold it in your mouth for a moment to adjust, then slowly swallow. After finishing, rinse your mouth with a little warm water. Additionally, adding a small amount of fresh ginger juice to the medicine can help reduce nausea and vomiting to some extent.
Is it advisable to take both traditional and Western medicine at the same time?
It's best to take different medications separately because many Western and traditional medicines cannot be taken at the same time. For example, herbs like peach kernels and almonds containing nitriglycosides should not be taken with Western medicines belonging to the sedative, anesthetic, or analgesic groups because it can inhibit the respiratory center and cause liver dysfunction. Cardiac stimulants belonging to the digitalis group should not be taken with herbs like oleander and evergreen, as it can cause heart rhythm disturbances. Sulfanilamide drugs should not be taken with herbs containing organic acids such as dandelion, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Schisandra chinensis, and dried plums... because it can cause urinary tract stones and hematuria. Tetracycline antibiotics should not be taken at the same time with herbs containing high levels of calcium, magnesium, and aluminum such as gypsum and oyster shell... because it will reduce the effectiveness of tetracycline and form stable metal compounds in the intestines, affecting the absorption and digestion of food.
What dietary restrictions should I follow while taking this medicine?
Dietary restrictions are essential when taking traditional Chinese medicine. According to traditional medicine, food is also considered medicine, so improper eating habits can affect the effectiveness of the prescription and the patient's health. However, due to limited knowledge, many practitioners instruct patients to avoid too many things, including those essential for the body, or create a rigid habit of strictly avoiding shrimp, crab, snails, chicken, water spinach, etc., when taking traditional Chinese medicine. In reality, dietary restrictions should depend on two factors: firstly, foods that are incompatible with the medicine being used (for example, Poria cocos is incompatible with vinegar, and turtle shell is incompatible with chicken); secondly, foods that counteract the effects of the medicine (for example, when taking medicine to treat cold symptoms, one must avoid cold foods). Therefore, adhering to the instructions of a specialist is extremely important.
According to SKĐS - NM
