A Few Practical Tips on Taking Chinese Herbal Medicine

Many patients ask me how to take Chinese herbal medicine properly. Here are a few practical tips based on clinical experience.

1. Timing of the decoction. Most herbal decoctions are taken warm, divided into two doses a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. Tonic formulas are usually taken before meals; formulas that drain downward or irritate the stomach are taken after meals. If the doctor has given a specific instruction, follow it.

2. Temperature. Ordinary wind-cold and deficiency patterns should be taken warm; heat-toxin patterns may be taken cool. Do not boil the herbs with iron or aluminum pots; use ceramic, glass, or stainless steel.

3. Diet during treatment. Avoid raw, cold, greasy, and spicy food while taking herbs. During tonic treatment, avoid radish and strong tea, as they may reduce the effect. Avoid fish, shrimp, and other allergens if the condition is a skin disease or allergy.

4. Do not mix with Western drugs without telling the doctor. Some herbs interact with anticoagulants, antihypertensives, hypoglycemics, and psychiatric drugs. Always tell your TCM doctor what Western medicines you are taking.

5. Stop and seek advice if adverse reactions occur. Mild stomach discomfort can sometimes be solved by taking the herbs after meals; but if you develop rash, dizziness, palpitations, or diarrhea, stop the medicine and contact the doctor.

6. Chronic disease requires patience. Herbal medicine works by adjusting the body’s balance; it is not a painkiller. For chronic conditions, a course of several weeks to months may be needed. Do not stop after a few doses because you feel no immediate effect.

These tips are general; your own doctor’s instructions should always take precedence.