What foods should be avoided when taking traditional Chinese medicine?

Generally speaking, there are no absolute dietary restrictions during the period of taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but it is recommended to avoid or limit consumption of certain foods such as ginger, ice cream, deep-fried dough sticks (youtiao), sea fish, strong tea, etc. If discomfort occurs, timely medical attention is advised. The detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Ginger

Ginger is a spicy and irritating food. After consumption, it may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Taking ginger while on TCM may increase gastrointestinal motility and accelerate intestinal excretion, which is not conducive to drug absorption.

2. Ice Cream

Ice cream is a cold food. Consumption may damage the spleen and stomach, leading to gastrointestinal irritation and symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In such cases, taking TCM may affect the retention time of the medication in the intestines, thereby reducing its effectiveness.

3. Fried Dough Sticks (Youtiao)

Fried dough sticks are high in fat. After being absorbed by the body, the high fat content may interfere with normal gastrointestinal motility and digestion, causing bloating, constipation, and other symptoms. Taking TCM at this time may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal system and affect the efficacy of the medication.

4. Sea Fish

Sea fish such as grouper and turbot are referred to as "fawu" (trigger foods) in TCM. Consuming these trigger foods while taking TCM may cause allergic reactions such as skin itching and rashes. If symptoms are severe and not treated promptly, the effectiveness of the medication may be affected.

5. Strong Tea

Light tea can help regulate appetite and improve metabolism. However, strong tea contains large amounts of tannic acid and caffeine, which may interact with the components of TCM, potentially weakening its efficacy and affecting treatment outcomes.

It should be noted that all TCM should be taken under the guidance of a physician to avoid self-medication or combining it arbitrarily with other herbal medicines. Additionally, regular monitoring is necessary during treatment, and if any discomfort occurs, the medication should be discontinued promptly.