Can I drink tea after taking Chinese herbal medicine?

Generally, if the components of the consumed traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) do not have significant interactions with the ingredients in tea, it is usually acceptable to drink tea in moderation. However, if there are clear interactions between the TCM and tea components, drinking tea is generally not recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

If the components of the consumed traditional Chinese medicine do not significantly interact with those in tea, it generally will not affect the efficacy of the medication. In such cases, moderate tea consumption is usually acceptable, preferably after a time interval following the intake of TCM. By then, the herbal components have typically been absorbed and taken effect, making the impact of tea relatively minor.

If there are significant interactions between the TCM and tea ingredients, tea components such as tannic acid and caffeine may interfere with drug absorption. Drinking tea in such cases is generally not advised, as it may lead to side effects such as insomnia and palpitations.

Strong tea is highly stimulating and may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal system, affecting the absorption and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, it should be avoided during TCM treatment. Additionally, it is important to maintain a light diet and avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods such as pepper, chili peppers, and onions, which are not conducive to recovery.