Taboos for Women During the Period of Taking Traditional Chinese Medicine
Disease description:
Recently, I have been regulating my body due to menstrual irregularities, and I am taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for this purpose. I would like to ask the doctor: what are the禁忌 (contraindications/restrictions) for women during the period of taking TCM?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen
For women, there are several important considerations during the period of taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to avoid adverse reactions or compromise the treatment effectiveness.
1. During medication, spicy, greasy, raw, and cold foods should be avoided to prevent impairment of the spleen and stomach functions and to maintain the effectiveness of the medicine. Additionally, some herbs interact with specific foods. For example, ginseng should not be taken with radish, as this may reduce its therapeutic effect.
2. Women should also use other medications cautiously during TCM treatment, such as antibiotics, to prevent reduced efficacy of the TCM or adverse reactions.
3. During special physiological periods, such as menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation, TCM should be used with caution, especially those herbs that promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis or have warming properties, to avoid menstrual irregularities, miscarriage, or adverse effects on fetal health.
4. Women should avoid strenuous physical activity while taking TCM to prevent excessive physical exhaustion and ensure optimal therapeutic effects.
As individuals have different body constitutions and responses to TCM may vary, it is important to follow medical instructions, attend regular follow-up appointments, and adjust the prescription as needed.
