Can I eat pumpkin porridge while taking traditional Chinese medicine?
Disease description:
Because I am taking traditional Chinese medicine to regulate my body, I usually like to drink pumpkin porridge for breakfast. I was wondering if I can still have pumpkin porridge while taking the herbal medicine. Will it affect the medicine's effectiveness?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Whether one can eat pumpkin porridge while taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) mainly depends on the ingredients of the medicine. If its components do not interact with pumpkin porridge, it is generally acceptable to consume it. However, if the components of the TCM may have adverse effects when combined with pumpkin porridge, it is not recommended.
Pumpkin porridge itself is a nutritious food, rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which can aid digestion and enhance immunity. In most cases, pumpkin porridge does not cause adverse reactions with the majority of TCM formulations, so moderate consumption is usually fine.
However, if the TCM formula being taken is intended for clearing heat and detoxifying or cooling the blood to stop bleeding, and pumpkin is considered warming in nature, consuming large amounts of pumpkin porridge might affect the efficacy of the medication. Additionally, if the TCM formula contains ingredients whose properties oppose those of pumpkin, simultaneous consumption might also reduce the medicine's effectiveness. In such cases, eating pumpkin porridge is not advised.
During the course of taking TCM, it is advisable to avoid raw, cold, spicy, greasy, or otherwise irritating foods to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort and to ensure optimal drug absorption and effectiveness.
