Can patients with acute gastroenteritis drink Huoxiang Zhengqi Water?

Acute gastroenteritis patients may generally take Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, which can alleviate associated symptoms such as nausea, decreased appetite, and abdominal distension; however, it does not provide significant therapeutic benefit.

Huoxiang Zhengqi Water primarily contains Atractylodes lancea, Angelica dahurica, and raw Pinellia ternata, among other ingredients. It functions to regulate qi, harmonize the middle burner, resolve exterior patterns, and transform dampness—thereby alleviating symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal distension caused by gastrointestinal-type influenza. Since acute gastroenteritis also induces gastrointestinal discomfort, Huoxiang Zhengqi Water may be used under a physician’s guidance to relieve symptoms. However, acute gastroenteritis is predominantly caused by ingestion of contaminated food, leading to acute inflammatory lesions of the intestinal mucosa due to pathogens such as *Vibrio parahaemolyticus* or *Salmonella*. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water cannot inhibit or eradicate these pathogens nor protect the gastrointestinal mucosa; thus, it offers limited therapeutic efficacy.

Management of acute gastroenteritis typically requires both etiological and symptomatic treatment. For bacterial infections, antibiotics such as amoxicillin or levofloxacin may be prescribed per medical advice to eliminate the causative pathogens and control disease progression. In cases of severe diarrhea, antidiarrheal agents—including loperamide or smectite—may be administered to suppress intestinal motility and alleviate symptoms.