Can I eat onions while taking traditional Chinese medicine?

Whether or not one can consume onions during the period of taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) should be determined according to specific circumstances. If there is no restriction on spicy foods while taking TCM, onions can generally be consumed in moderation. However, if spicy foods are contraindicated, onions should not be eaten. Detailed explanations are as follows:

Onions are a common vegetable containing various nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Consuming them in moderation can help supplement essential nutrients and enhance disease resistance. If the TCM currently being taken does not specifically restrict spicy foods and your body can digest such foods well, moderate onion consumption is generally safe.

However, if the TCM explicitly advises against consuming spicy foods or if your TCM practitioner has specifically instructed you to avoid certain foods, you should strictly follow medical advice and refrain from eating onions. Moreover, individuals with yin deficiency and excessive internal heat, gastric ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome—as well as pregnant women, lactating women, and those long-term taking cardiovascular medications—are advised to consume onions cautiously under a physician's guidance to avoid aggravating their conditions or causing adverse reactions.

While taking TCM, patients should also maintain a light diet, avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, and refrain from eating spicy, stimulating, raw, or cold foods to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the herbal treatment.