What Should Not Be Eaten When Taking Traditional Chinese Medicine

Dec 19, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Xiuhong

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, it is not recommended to take traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) together with medications such as warfarin sodium tablets, captopril tablets, metformin hydrochloride tablets, spironolactone tablets, and lorazepam tablets. Additionally, TCM should not be consumed with foods such as ice cream, chili peppers, fried chicken, crab, or strong tea. If any adverse symptoms occur, prompt medical attention is advised. It is also important to maintain a regular sleep schedule and engage in moderate exercise during treatment to maximize the therapeutic effects of the TCM.

Generally, it is not recommended to take traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) together with medications such as warfarin sodium tablets, captopril tablets, metformin hydrochloride tablets, spironolactone tablets, and lorazepam tablets. Additionally, TCM should not be consumed with foods such as ice cream, chili peppers, fried chicken, crabs, or strong tea. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Medications

1. Warfarin Sodium Tablets

Warfarin sodium is an anticoagulant. If taken together with TCM herbs such as angelica (Dang Gui) or ginger (Jiang), which also have anticoagulant effects, it may increase the risk of bleeding.

2. Captopril Tablets

Captopril tablets are used to lower blood pressure. Herbs such as ginseng (Ren Shen) and American ginseng may regulate blood pressure, and when taken together with captopril, they may interact and cause blood pressure fluctuations, affecting the antihypertensive effect.

3. Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets

Metformin hydrochloride is a hypoglycemic agent. Herbs such as ginseng (Ren Shen) and rehmannia (Di Huang) can regulate blood sugar levels. Taking them together with metformin may lead to hypoglycemia and associated symptoms.

4. Spironolactone Tablets

Spironolactone is a diuretic. Licorice (Gan Cao) and other herbs may have water-retaining effects, which may reduce the diuretic effect of spironolactone when taken together.

5. Lorazepam Tablets

Lorazepam is a sedative-hypnotic drug. Herbs such as peach seed (Tao Ren), ginkgo seed (Bai Guo), and apricot seed (Xing Ren) contain ingredients that suppress the central nervous system. Taking them with lorazepam may enhance the sedative-hypnotic effect, potentially leading to adverse reactions such as respiratory depression and hypotension.

II. Foods

1. Ice Cream

Consuming ice cream may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, thereby interfering with the digestion and absorption of TCM and affecting its therapeutic effect.

2. Chili Peppers

Chili peppers are spicy and highly irritating. Consuming them while taking TCM may irritate the digestive tract, cause gastrointestinal discomfort, and lead to indigestion, thereby affecting the absorption and efficacy of TCM.

3. Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a greasy food that is difficult for the body to digest and absorb. Eating fried chicken while taking TCM may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal system, hinder the body's absorption of the medicine, and thus reduce its effectiveness.

4. Crabs

Crabs are cold in nature and may conflict with the warming properties of certain TCM herbs. Additionally, seafood may trigger allergic reactions, which are not conducive to recovery.

5. Strong Tea

Strong tea contains a high amount of tannic acid, which may chemically react with components in TCM, forming insoluble precipitates and reducing its therapeutic effectiveness.

Medications should be used under the guidance of a physician. It is also important to maintain regular作息 habits, exercise moderately, and keep a cheerful mood. A balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples and cucumbers, should be maintained to maximize the therapeutic effects of TCM.

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What Foods Should Not Be Eaten When Taking Traditional Chinese Medicine

In general, while taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), there are no absolute dietary contraindications; however, it is advisable to avoid consuming cold beverages, chili peppers, fatty meats, crabs, and mutton. These foods may irritate the gastrointestinal tract or increase its burden, potentially causing symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Taking TCM alongside these foods may affect the efficacy of the medicine and be detrimental to the management of the condition.

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What fruits can be eaten when taking traditional Chinese medicine?

Under normal circumstances, when taking traditional Chinese medicine, you may适量 consume fruits such as apples, bananas, kiwifruit, plums, and pineapples. It is recommended to develop good living habits, eat light and nutritious food, and avoid greasy and spicy foods to prevent interference with the effectiveness of the medication. At the same time, ensure adequate sleep and engage in moderate exercise to aid in recovery.

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What foods should be avoided when taking traditional Chinese medicine?

During the period of taking traditional Chinese medicine, it is recommended to eat less or avoid foods such as ginger, ice cream, fried dough sticks (youtiao), sea fish, and strong tea. These foods may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing discomfort such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, thereby affecting drug absorption and efficacy. However, regardless of the type of traditional Chinese medicine, it is important to consult a physician before taking it, and avoid self-medicating.

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What Should Not Be Eaten When Taking Traditional Chinese Medicine

Under normal circumstances, attention should be paid to diet and medication combination while taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is not recommended to consume spicy hot pot, strong tea, raw and cold crab, greasy fried chicken, radish, and similar foods. Medication should be strictly taken as directed by a physician. Self-administration of medications such as ferrous sulfate tablets, levofloxacin hydrochloride capsules, dexamethasone tablets, ibuprofen granules, and chlorpheniramine maleate tablets is not advised.