"Maximizing the Effectiveness of Chinese Herbal Medicine Consumption: Whats the Best Approach?"

When treating illnesses, we have the option of choosing Western medicine or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Western medicine is convenient to take, while TCM often involves more complex procedures, which is inherent to its nature. When using TCM, there are many precautions to consider. For beginners, understanding the intricacies may be limited, potentially affecting the efficacy of the medication. So, how can we consume TCM more effectively? Let's delve into it below.

How to Consume TCM More Effectively?

1. Before Meals: For illnesses located in the lower body, such as liver and kidney deficiency or diseases below the waist, including intestinal diseases, it is advisable to take TCM before meals. This allows the medicine to reach the targeted area more easily, enhances absorption, and thus improves efficacy.

2. After Meals: If the illness is located in the upper body, for example, in the heart, lungs, chest, or upper stomach, or if the medication irritates the digestive tract, taking it after meals is recommended. This guides the medicine upwards and minimizes rapid absorption of toxic medications, preventing potential poisoning.

3. Cold Administration: Cold medications should be taken after cooling, such as those used to treat high fever. Similarly, some hot medications are also more effective when taken cold, particularly for treating conditions of true cold with false heat.

4. Warm Administration: Medicines that are neutral or tonifying in nature should be taken at around 35°C. This enhances their ability to nourish and strengthen the body.

5. Hot Administration: Medicines for treating colds and dispelling wind-cold should be taken while hot, encouraging sweating. The same applies to medicines that dispel cold and promote blood circulation.

6. Bolus Administration: Strong, small-dose decoctions should be consumed in one go to concentrate the medicinal effects without harming the body's vital energy. This is especially suitable for laxatives and blood-stasis-resolving medicines.

7. Frequent Administration: For throat and vomiting conditions, frequent, small doses are recommended, allowing the medicine to thoroughly contact the affected area for quicker results.

8. On an Empty Stomach: Nourishing medicines are best taken in the morning on an empty stomach for better absorption.

9. Before Sleep: Sedative and tranquilizing medicines should be taken before bedtime. Note: Patients with stagnation or chest diseases should lie supine after taking medicine; those with head, brain, ear, or eye conditions should remove their pillows; and those with rib ailments should lie on their sides.

10. Overnight Administration: For anthelmintic medicines, take one dose before bedtime and another on an empty stomach the next morning to effectively eliminate intestinal worms.

What to Note When Consuming TCM?

1. Avoid certain foods while taking medicine to prevent reduced efficacy or aggravated symptoms. When taking medicine to clear internal heat, avoid hot foods like onions, garlic, pepper, mutton, and dog meat. Conversely, when treating "cold conditions," avoid cold foods.

2. Do not drink strong tea while taking TCM, as it contains tannins that can interfere with the absorption of the medicine's active ingredients, reducing its efficacy. Similarly, avoid other beverages like coffee, cola, and Sprite; stick to plain water.

3. During colds or when children have unresolved rashes, avoid cold, sour, or greasy foods. When treating chest tightness and bloating due to qi stagnation, avoid beans and sweet potatoes, which can cause bloating. Patients with edema should limit salt intake, and those with hepatitis should avoid spicy and greasy foods.

4. Patients with asthma or allergic dermatitis should limit their intake of chicken, lamb, pig's head meat, fish, shrimp, and crab, as high-protein foods like eggs, milk, fish, and shrimp can exacerbate asthma symptoms.