Can I drink traditional Chinese medicine after drinking milk tea?
Nov 21, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
In general, it is acceptable to take traditional Chinese medicine after drinking milk tea, although in some cases it may not be advisable. Patients are recommended to follow medical advice and receive treatment according to their specific condition. If there is an interval of one hour or more between drinking milk tea and taking traditional Chinese medicine, it usually will not worsen the condition, as by then the components of the milk tea generally do not interact with the medicinal properties or affect the efficacy of the medicine.
Generally speaking, it is not recommended to take traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) immediately after drinking milk tea. However, if there is a sufficiently long interval—typically over an hour—it is usually acceptable. If a patient experiences any discomfort, they should seek medical attention promptly to avoid delaying treatment. The detailed explanation is as follows:
After drinking milk tea, one should generally avoid taking TCM immediately, as certain ingredients in milk tea may interfere with the body's absorption of active components in TCM, thereby reducing its therapeutic effectiveness. Additionally, substances such as caffeine and theophylline in milk tea may stimulate the nervous system, potentially causing symptoms like increased heart rate, insomnia, or loss of appetite, which could hinder recovery.
However, if more than one hour has passed between drinking milk tea and taking TCM, it is usually safe and unlikely to worsen the condition, as by then most components from the milk tea will no longer interact negatively with the medicinal properties. If the TCM contains ingredients that might react with those in milk tea, it is advisable to avoid milk tea altogether during treatment, or maintain a time gap of 1–2 hours—or even longer—between consuming milk tea and taking the medicine to minimize potential interactions.
In daily life, patients should follow medical advice when taking medications and尽量 avoid combining them with other drugs or substances. During treatment, a light diet is recommended, and foods or beverages that may affect drug efficacy should be avoided.
