How many hours after taking Chinese medicine can one drink alcohol?

After taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is generally recommended to wait at least 3 days after stopping the medication before consuming alcohol. Below are the main reasons: 1. Drug metabolism time: TCM usually requires a certain amount of time to be metabolized in the body. To ensure that the medication has been fully eliminated and to avoid potential interactions between alcohol and residual drug components, it is advisable to wait 3 days after discontinuing TCM before drinking alcohol. 2. Reduced therapeutic efficacy: Alcohol may break down the active ingredients in TCM, thereby reducing its effectiveness and negatively impacting the treatment outcome. 3. Increased liver burden: Both medications and alcohol are metabolized by the liver. Consuming them simultaneously may overload the liver, potentially leading to liver damage. 4. Increased risk of adverse reactions: Alcohol can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. When taken with TCM, it may increase the likelihood of adverse effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.