Can I drink Chinese medicine at noon?

1. Why can’t you drink Chinese medicine at noon?

Ancient doctors believed that the time for taking medicine is different for diseases in different parts of the body: for example, for the treatment of diseases in the upper part of the body (including the heart, lungs, head and face, etc.), such as colds and headaches, medicine should be taken after meals; for the treatment of diseases in the middle part of the body (including the spleen, stomach, etc.), medicine should be taken with meals; and for diseases in the lower part of the body (including the large intestine, kidneys, etc.), medicine should be taken on an empty stomach before meals.

Why can't I drink Chinese medicine at noon?

Modern Chinese medicine does not fully agree with the ancients' views. We believe that, in principle, medication should be taken away from meal times. Chinese medicine should not be taken from half an hour before meals to one hour after meals to prevent food from affecting the gastrointestinal tract's absorption of the drug.

2. Three types of drugs can be taken on an empty stomach

First of all, when treating gastric ulcers and gastric mucosal erosion, Chinese medicines such as cuttlebone and white hyacinth are often used to inhibit the secretion of gastric acid and produce a protective film on the inner wall of the stomach. These medicines should be taken on an empty stomach before meals as much as possible.

Secondly, some laxatives, such as rhubarb for treating constipation, should also be taken on an empty stomach.

Finally, it is recommended to take tonic medicines on an empty stomach. One reason is that these drugs are relatively expensive, and taking them on an empty stomach will help the body fully absorb the drugs. Second, the effects of this type of drug are relatively mild, with less irritation to the gastrointestinal mucosa, and discomfort rarely occurs after taking it.

3. Take Chinese medicine between meals

"Tangye Bencao" points out: "Medicinal Qi and food Qi do not want to meet each other. When the food Qi is eliminated, take medicine, and when the medicinal Qi is eliminated, eat food." From this record, it can be seen that medicine and food should not be taken at the same time, and there must be a period of time between the two.

Why can't I drink Chinese medicine at noon?

"Therefore, for chronic diseases, medicines must be taken on time. Generally, Chinese medicine prescriptions are taken between meals, that is, once between 9 and 10 in the morning, or between 3 and 4 in the afternoon. If it needs to be taken three times, one more dose can be taken before going to bed. However, for acute and serious diseases, there is no limit on time or frequency. The medicine should be taken as soon as possible or frequently according to the doctor's instructions. Some can even be taken once every 1 to 2 hours, or once every 4 hours or so, and not stopped at night, so that the effect of the medicine can continue, which is conducive to faster relief of symptoms and alleviation of the condition." The Chinese medicine expert explained.

In addition, when taking Chinese medicine, it is necessary to pay attention to the synchronization and coordination of the effects of the medicine with the human body's rhythm. That is, yang medicines are used when yang is growing, yin medicines are used when yin is dominant, and so on. For example, ginger, which can raise yang, should be taken in the morning, but the whole dose of Chinese medicine should be considered.