Does drinking Chinese medicine on an empty stomach hurt the stomach?

Many medicines for treating diseases need to be taken after meals, because most medicines have very serious side effects while treating diseases. If we take medicine before meals, it is easy to hurt the stomach, especially for Chinese medicine, because we drink Chinese medicine in large bowls, the dosage will be relatively large, so its side effects are also very large, so will drinking Chinese medicine on an empty stomach hurt the stomach?

First of all, for people with different body constitutions, Chinese medicine may hurt the stomach or nourish the stomach. Therefore, it is not accurate to simply define whether a certain Chinese medicine is harmful to the stomach.

Secondly, taking Chinese medicine at different times will have different effects on the stomach. Most Chinese medicines need to be taken on an empty stomach, so the medicine will directly contact the gastric mucosa. If the medicine is irritating, it will of course damage the stomach.

The Chinese medicines that usually hurt the stomach are divided into the following categories:

Traditional Chinese medicine for cooling down and reducing internal heat: This type of traditional Chinese medicine is characterized by its cold nature, and can reduce internal heat, improve bad breath, and yellow urine in the short term. However, long-term use or use by people with cold stomachs will affect the gastric mucosa and increase the possibility of gastric ulcers.

Sour Chinese medicine: Black plum, hawthorn, etc. are added to the medicine, which has the effects of appetizing, aiding digestion and strengthening the spleen. However, it can easily stimulate excessive secretion of gastric acid, inducing gastric ulcers and stomach diseases.

Traditional Chinese medicine with serious toxic side effects: Not all traditional Chinese medicines are non-toxic. For example, arsenic, realgar, raw Polygonum multiflorum, etc. are also traditional Chinese medicines, but they are toxic. Some traditional Chinese medicines also have paralyzing effects on the nervous system.

Therefore, Chinese medicine can also hurt the stomach. Even if you need to use Chinese medicine to treat an illness, you should follow the doctor's advice, take it according to the course of treatment, and not take it for a long time. In addition, any discomfort while taking the medicine should be reported to the doctor immediately.

Why should I drink Chinese medicine on an empty stomach?

The purpose of taking Chinese medicine before meals or on an empty stomach is to allow the medicinal liquid to fully contact the gastrointestinal mucosa, so that it can be absorbed faster and take effect, avoiding the influence of gastric juice or food.

However, not all Chinese medicines need to be taken before meals or on an empty stomach. There are also Chinese medicines that can be taken after meals, usually 15-30 minutes after a meal, to reduce irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Traditional Chinese medicine taken before bedtime is generally a sedative, sleep-promoting, and anti-allergic drug. Most of the Chinese medicines that need to be taken on an empty stomach in the morning are tonic medicines.

Why should we avoid certain foods when taking Chinese medicine?

Since you choose to take Chinese medicine to treat the disease, you must consider the issue of dietary restrictions.

The purpose of dietary restrictions is to avoid conflicts between the medicinal properties or effects on the effects of the medicinal properties. Usually, Chinese medicine patients are advised to avoid spicy, greasy, raw and cold foods, as well as strong tea. However, specific dietary taboos are related to the medicine itself. For example, for medicines that clear heat and cool blood, spicy food needs to be avoided.

Chinese medicine or Western medicine, which one is more harmful to the body?

It is traditionally believed that Western medicine has greater side effects, but this is not actually the case. Traditional Chinese medicine also has side effects.

The advantage of Western medicine is that it has been rigorously and extensively researched and tested, and its effects, dosage, and ingredients are strictly controlled. Even if side effects occur, they are within controllable range. The safety of traditional Chinese medicine mostly relies on experience. For more health issues, please click here: Chinese medicine has a high risk of damaging the liver, so be careful when taking it

So, no one is more comprehensive, only who is more suitable for treating the current disease.