Does Consuming Chinese Herbal Medicine Have an Impact on Sexual Activity?

Clinically, when our bodies exhibit abnormal conditions, we administer appropriate medication tailored to our individual circumstances. A prevalent practice involves the utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Nevertheless, patients may encounter numerous contraindications when utilizing TCM, often prompting concerns regarding the propriety of engaging in sexual activity during its administration. The properties of TCM vary significantly, and the advisability of sexual activity hinges on the specific type of medication being consumed. A clear understanding of this is essential for making an informed decision.

Considerations for Sexual Activity While Taking TCM

TCM underscores the harmony between yin and yang, with males symbolizing yang and females yin. Sexual activity can potentially disrupt this delicate balance. While TCM offers guidance on various lifestyle restrictions, not all TCM necessitates abstinence from sexual activity. The decision should be grounded in specific circumstances, including the nature of the illness being treated and the type of medicine prescribed. For instance, abstinence from sexual activity is unnecessary when the medication addresses exterior syndromes. However, moderation is advised if the medicine is nourishing, and abstinence is recommended when it is used to fortify kidney yin or yang. TCM also acknowledges the dual nature of sexual activity, emphasizing that healthy sexual practices can contribute to longevity. In cases where the illness is severe and sexual activity is physically taxing, moderation is advisable.

Contraindications for Taking TCM

a. Avoid consuming raw radish during TCM treatment (except for medicines intended to regulate qi and dissolve phlegm), as radish aids in digestion and can dissipate qi, thereby weakening the potency of tonics like ginseng and astragalus, diminishing their therapeutic efficacy.

b. Shunt cold and raw foods, which can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and impede medication absorption. When treating "cold syndromes" with TCM, such as warming meridians, dispelling cold, eliminating dampness, or strengthening the spleen and warming the stomach, avoiding these foods is crucial.

c. Abstain from strong tea while taking TCM, as tea contains tannic acid, especially in higher concentrations. Consuming tea concurrently with TCM can impede the absorption of medicine's active ingredients, thereby reducing its therapeutic impact.

d. Shun spicy and hot foods, which are often warming and stimulating, leading to qi depletion and heat generation. When treating heat-related illnesses or administering medicines to clear heat, nourish yin, cool blood, and moisten yin, spicy foods should be avoided.

e. Greasy and oily foods are often sticky, fostering dampness and phlegm, slowing bowel movements, causing qi stagnation, and being difficult to digest and absorb. When combined with medication, these foods can further hinder the absorption of active ingredients, diminishing the medicine's therapeutic effect.

f. Shun strong-smelling and pungent foods. Many TCM formulations possess a fragrant aroma, particularly those used to dispel dampness and regulate qi, containing volatile oils crucial for their therapeutic action. These fragrant substances are incompatible with strong-smelling and pungent foods, and consuming them during TCM treatment can compromise the medicine's efficacy.