What dietary precautions should be taken while taking Donglingcao Syrup?

During the use of Donglingcao Syrup, dietary habits should generally avoid spicy foods, stay away from greasy foods, abstain from smoking and alcohol, reduce consumption of raw or cold foods, and avoid tonic nourishing foods. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Avoid spicy foods: Spicy ingredients such as chili peppers, Sichuan pepper, ginger, and garlic can irritate the pharyngeal mucosa and may worsen throat discomfort. Since Donglingcao Syrup is primarily used to relieve pharyngitis, consuming spicy foods may interfere with the effectiveness of the medication and hinder recovery.

2. Stay away from greasy foods: Fried foods, fatty meats, and animal offal are difficult to digest and increase gastrointestinal burden. They may also promote damp-heat accumulation in the body, which contradicts the heat-clearing and throat-soothing effects of Donglingcao Syrup. This could reduce therapeutic efficacy and delay resolution of throat inflammation.

3. Abstain from smoking and alcohol: Harmful substances in tobacco such as nicotine and tar, as well as alcohol, can directly damage the pharyngeal mucosa and exacerbate inflammatory responses. Additionally, alcohol may interact with the medicinal components, affecting drug efficacy or increasing the risk of adverse reactions. Strict avoidance of smoking and drinking is required during treatment.

4. Reduce intake of raw or cold foods: Raw or cold foods such as ice cream, chilled beverages, and sashimi can irritate the throat and gastrointestinal tract, potentially causing throat spasms or digestive discomfort. Especially when there is existing throat inflammation, these foods may worsen symptoms like soreness, swelling, and foreign-body sensation, impairing the medicine's effectiveness.

5. Avoid tonic nourishing foods: Tonic items such as ginseng, deer antler, donkey-hide gelatin (ejiao), and longan are inherently warm in nature. Since Donglingcao Syrup is mainly used for clearing heat, combining it with warming tonics creates opposing actions that may neutralize the drug’s effect. This could even intensify internal heat, leading to prolonged or unresolved throat inflammation.

Strict adherence to dietary precautions is essential when taking Donglingcao Syrup. If symptoms do not improve after three days of medication, or if symptoms worsen or adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting occur, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention promptly.