What should not be consumed with Cordyceps flowers?

Generally, Cordyceps flowers should not be consumed together with acidic foods, spicy and stimulating foods, sugary foods, raw or cold foods, alcoholic beverages, etc. They should also not be taken concurrently with certain medications such as anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, antiallergic drugs, diuretics, and antibiotics. Specific details are as follows:

I. Foods

1. Acidic Foods

Foods such as lemon, vinegar, and sour jujube. Cordyceps flowers are warm in nature and have tonic effects, whereas acidic foods may cause the body's internal environment to become overly acidic, thereby affecting the efficacy of Cordyceps flowers.

2. Spicy and Stimulating Foods

Spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers, pepper, and garlic may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, impairing the absorption and utilization of active components in Cordyceps flowers, thus reducing their nourishing effects.

3. Sugary Foods

Sugary foods such as candies, chocolate, and sweetened beverages can rapidly increase blood glucose levels after consumption, potentially interfering with the tonic effects of Cordyceps flowers. Excessive sugar intake may also exacerbate inflammatory responses in the body, negatively affecting the overall benefits of Cordyceps flowers.

4. Raw or Cold Foods

Foods such as sashimi, chilled drinks, and ice cream. Since Cordyceps flowers have a warming and tonifying effect, consuming raw or cold foods may create a colder internal environment, thereby diminishing the medicinal effects of Cordyceps flowers.

5. Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic drinks such as white liquor, beer, and red wine may irritate the gastrointestinal tract and affect the absorption and utilization of Cordyceps flowers. Additionally, alcohol may compromise the stability of active ingredients in Cordyceps flowers, reducing their tonic effectiveness.

II. Medications

1. Anticoagulant Drugs

Medications such as heparin sodium injection, warfarin sodium tablets, and aspirin enteric-coated capsules are used to prevent and treat thrombosis. Cordyceps flowers may affect platelet function, so concurrent use could increase the risk of bleeding.

2. Immunosuppressants

Drugs such as cyclophosphamide tablets, prednisone acetate tablets, and triamcinolone acetonide tablets are used to suppress the immune system. Since Cordyceps flowers may influence immune function, taking them together may reduce the effectiveness of these medications.

3. Antiallergic Drugs

Cordyceps flowers may trigger allergic reactions such as rashes or itching. Concurrent use with antiallergic medications like loratadine capsules, cetirizine hydrochloride tablets, or fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets may worsen allergic symptoms.

4. Diuretics

Diuretics such as furosemide injection, hydrochlorothiazide tablets, and bumetanide injection promote urine excretion. Since Cordyceps flowers may affect kidney function, combining them with diuretics might interfere with the intended diuretic effects.

5. Antibiotics

Antibiotics such as penicillins and macrolides are used to treat bacterial infections. Cordyceps flowers may affect the absorption and metabolism of these antibiotics, potentially causing allergic reactions or reducing antibiotic efficacy when used simultaneously.

       However, it is important to note that excessive consumption of Cordyceps flowers at one time may lead to over-tonification, resulting in symptoms such as nosebleeds and sore throat. Therefore, they should be consumed in moderation. In daily life, it is advisable to maintain a varied diet, eat more fresh fruits such as apples, bananas, and pears, manage sleep schedules wisely, avoid staying up late, and engage in regular physical activity, all of which help enhance the body’s immune function.