What are the taboos of drinking Chinese herbal medicine?

We have always known that Chinese medicine has no side effects. Although it is not as effective as Western medicine, it can regulate the body from the root and achieve therapeutic effects. However, Chinese medicine is very bitter and many people do not like to drink it. In fact, the effect of Chinese medicine is very powerful. Different medicinal materials are combined to achieve different effects, and some prescriptions can also beautify and nourish the skin. Since Chinese medicine has such powerful effects, do you know what the taboos of drinking Chinese herbal medicine are? Let me introduce it to you below.

1. Avoid foods that may affect the effectiveness of the drug. For example, raw and cold food, strong tea, spicy and greasy food, radish, and fishy food. Some of these types of food will neutralize the medicinal power and reduce its efficacy, some will reduce absorption, and some will even have harmful effects. Therefore, when taking Chinese medicine, you must follow the doctor's advice and avoid certain foods.

2. It is not advisable to take Chinese medicine excessively or for a long time in pursuit of quick results. For example, Cassia seed has the effect of lowering blood lipids, but long-term use of Cassia seed may cause diarrhea. Long-term consumption of hay, which nourishes the spleen and replenishes qi and clears away heat and detoxifies, can cause high blood pressure. The folk proverb "All medicines are poisonous to some extent" is based on this principle.

3. People with special physical conditions should take Chinese medicine with caution. For example, people with weak spleen and stomach may experience symptoms such as stomach discomfort and intestinal rumbling after taking traditional Chinese medicine containing wild chrysanthemum. It is best to first consult a Chinese medicine practitioner or do a self-test to understand your physical condition. If you have a typical physical condition, you should understand the corresponding contraindications before taking Chinese medicine.

4. Pregnant women should be cautious when taking Chinese medicine. Because Western medicine may cause fetal malformations, many pregnant women prefer Chinese patent medicine. However, some Chinese patent medicines are definitely toxic. It is important to remember that pregnant women should be cautious about various types of medicines, such as those that clear heat, dispel wind and dampness, promote digestion and food intake, laxatives, regulate qi, invigorate the mind, repel parasites, and remove dampness.

5. Precautions during the preparation of Chinese medicine. Most modern families use iron pots, stainless steel pots or non-stick pots. It is best not to use them to fry important foods, but to choose clay decoction pots or casseroles. Since decocting medicine is a long process, the use of metal products can easily cause certain drug ingredients and utensils to react, producing or releasing heavy metals that are harmful to the human body.

6. Avoid taking Chinese herbal decoctions overnight. The most important form of taking it is to boil it in water and take it orally as a Chinese medicine soup. Chinese herbal decoctions have complex ingredients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and other ingredients such as volatile oils and amino acids. After leaving it overnight, not only will the efficacy of the medicine be reduced, but it is also likely to cause bacteria to multiply, causing the medicine to become rancid and deteriorate. Therefore, when taking Chinese medicine, you should be careful to decoct it on the same day and take it on the same day. Do not take Chinese medicine decoctions overnight.

7. Use folk Chinese medicine remedies with caution. In our country, many people are willing to believe in so-called magical and important folk remedies to treat some difficult diseases. These folk remedies are circulated among the people, and many of them are not recorded in medical pharmacopoeias. Some may be effective, but not all folk remedies are correct. When faced with important folk remedies, you should consult a regular physician to understand the effects of the relevant drugs and combinations before deciding whether to use them.

The above introduces some taboos of taking Chinese herbal medicine. I believe everyone has already known about it. I also want to tell you that you should avoid eating spicy food when taking Chinese medicine, because such food is spicy and hot, and has the effect of promoting yang and strengthening the stomach. If you eat too much, it will easily cause phlegm and fire, disperse qi and consume blood. These will have a certain impact on the absorption of the medicine, so everyone must remember it.