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What kind of sugar can be added when taking traditional Chinese medicine?

Mar 17, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Sugars that can be added when taking traditional Chinese medicine include brown sugar, rock sugar, honey, yellow sugar, and maltose. If there are any concerns, it is recommended to seek medical advice promptly. To ensure the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine, the addition of sugars should follow medical instructions, and the appropriate type of sugar should be selected based on individual constitution and health condition. Adding a moderate amount of sugar can improve the taste of the medicine; however, excessive sugar intake may be detrimental to health.

    Sugars that can be added when taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) include brown sugar, rock sugar, honey, yellow sugar, and maltose. If there are any concerns, it is recommended to consult a doctor promptly. Detailed explanations are as follows:

    1. Brown sugar: Brown sugar is warm in nature and has functions of nourishing the blood and warming the stomach. It is suitable for individuals with a cold constitution or those needing blood nourishment. Additionally, brown sugar can improve the taste of TCM, making it more palatable.

    2. Rock sugar: Rock sugar is neutral in nature and has effects of moistening the lungs, relieving cough, clearing heat, and detoxifying. Rock sugar does not alter the medicinal properties of TCM and is suitable for TCM prescriptions used to treat symptoms such as coughing and sore throat.

    3. Honey: Honey is neutral in nature and has functions of moistening the lungs, relieving cough, lubricating the intestines, and promoting bowel movements. Honey can not only improve the taste of TCM but also offers certain health benefits. However, honey should not be taken simultaneously with certain specific herbs, as this may affect the efficacy of the medicine.

    4. Yellow sugar: Yellow sugar is warm in nature and has effects of nourishing the blood and warming the stomach, similar to brown sugar. Yellow sugar enhances the sweetness of TCM, making it more palatable, and is suitable for patients requiring blood nourishment and stomach warming.

    5. Maltose: Maltose is neutral in nature and has functions of moistening the lungs, relieving cough, strengthening the spleen, and stimulating the appetite. Maltose can not only improve the taste of TCM but also aid digestion, making it suitable for patients with weak spleen and stomach or those needing lung moistening and cough relief.

    To ensure the efficacy and safety of TCM, the addition of sugars should follow medical advice, with appropriate types selected based on individual constitution and health conditions. Appropriate addition of sugar can improve the taste of TCM, but excessive sugar intake may be detrimental to health.

    [References]

    [1] Wan Yuanhui. Discussion on the impact of TCM prescription analysis in TCM dispensing on clinical safe medication use[J]. World Latest Medical Information Digest, 2018, 18(87): 89+97.

    [2] Xiao Xuexiu. Discussion on the rational application of traditional Chinese medicine[J]. China Practical Medicine, 2013, 8(30): 237-238.

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