There are considerations for when to take traditional Chinese medicine.
Published Time:
2016-06-14
Xu Lingtai of the Qing Dynasty stated in "Medical Origins and Development" that: "Whether a disease heals or not depends not only on whether the prescription targets the disease, but also on whether the medication is taken correctly. Even if the prescription is correct, if it is not taken properly, it will not only be ineffective but also harmful. This is something that cannot be ignored." This illustrates that the proper method of taking Chinese medicine has a significant impact on its effectiveness. Therefore, understanding the experiences of physicians throughout history in the application of prescriptions and medication methods is of great importance for us to rationally choose medication times and maximize the efficacy of the medicine.
The "Tangye Bencao" points out: "The qi of the medicine and the qi of food should not meet. Take the medicine after the qi of food has dissipated, and eat after the qi of the medicine has dissipated." This passage shows that medicine and food should not be taken at the same time; there must be a time interval between the two. Therefore, most Chinese medicine prescriptions are taken between meals, namely, once between nine and ten in the morning, or once between three and four in the afternoon. If three doses are required, an additional dose can be taken before bedtime. In addition, there are several different medication methods to note, summarized as follows:
1. Taking on an empty stomach: The famous medical scholar Ge Hong of the Eastern Jin Dynasty said: "When the stomach is empty before eating, it allows the medicinal power to act more easily." This is often used for diseases with excess symptoms, especially those involving stagnation, blood stasis, and dampness. In terms of location, it is suitable for treating diseases below the heart and abdomen (such as the stomach, liver, and kidneys). In addition, tonifying prescriptions are often greasy and hinder the stomach, so they should be taken on an empty stomach; anthelmintic agents should also be taken on an empty stomach. Specific medication times include: taking before dawn (such as Jiming Powder); taking at dawn (such as Shizao Decoction); taking before meals (such as the Three Great Purgative Decoction), etc. Generally speaking, taking medicine on an empty stomach before meals allows the medicinal power to be fully utilized.
2. Taking after meals: Suitable for diseases above the chest and diaphragm. Taking medicine after meals allows the medicinal properties to linger in the upper body. China's first pharmacological monograph, "Shen Nong's Classic of Materia Medica," states: "For diseases above the chest and diaphragm, eat first, then take medicine; for diseases below the heart and abdomen, take medicine first, then eat; for diseases in the limbs and blood vessels, it is advisable to take on an empty stomach in the morning; for diseases in the bone marrow, it is advisable to take on a full stomach at night." Tradition holds that diseases of the upper body, such as diseases of the ears, eyes, mouth, nose, and five senses, should be treated by eating first and then taking medicine. The same applies to medicines that are mainly for nourishing and regulating, as Ge Hong said: "Take medicine for treating diseases before meals, and take medicine for health preservation after meals." It should be noted that medicines that have an irritating effect on the stomach and intestines should also be taken after meals to reduce discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Taking in one dose: The "Concise Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine" defines "taking in one dose" as "referring to quickly finishing the medicine in one go." "One dose" refers to both speed and number of times. It usually refers to cases where the condition is urgent, the medicine is brewed, and then immediately taken, aiming for rapid treatment of urgent diseases. Zhang Zhongjing, a medical expert from the Eastern Han Dynasty, recorded in "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber" that Xiexin Decoction for treating urgent vomiting and epistaxis, and Dahuang Mudanpi Decoction for treating intestinal abscess, belong to this category. Generally, high-fever diseases, infectious diseases, and pediatric emergencies also use this method.
4. Taking at bedtime: This method is often used for taking sedative medicines and medicines for treating enuresis. Taking medicine before bed allows the medicinal effect to take effect promptly.
5. Taking at any time: Acute diseases, vomiting, convulsions, stone colic, and throat diseases that require decoction as a tea can be taken at any time.
6. Taking 2 hours before a malaria attack: In addition, some acute and chronic diseases can be treated with medication day and night to maintain the therapeutic effect. Danbo Yuanyin stated in "Pharmaceutical Treatment Tongyi": "People in the world often only take medicine during the day and often do not take it at night, causing the medicinal power to be disconnected, the medicine not overcoming the disease, and the long nights of winter are especially unsuitable." This illustrates the importance of taking medicine at night.
Another method is to use medication according to the body's inherent time rhythm to achieve better therapeutic effects. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the human body has various time rhythms, such as annual rhythms, monthly rhythms, daily rhythms, and hourly rhythms. Taking the daily rhythm as an example: within a day, the body's qi and blood circulate in the meridians according to a certain law. In the early morning, the qi and blood flow to the Lung meridian of the Taiyin hand, followed by the Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, and Small Intestine. Laboratory research and clinical research data have shown that for a certain organ's disease, treatment during the time when its meridian qi is most active will greatly improve the efficacy. For diseases with Yin deficiency, the use of Yin-tonifying medicine can be scheduled for one dose in the evening. For patients with Yang deficiency, the use of Yang-tonifying medicine can be considered once in the morning to simplify the dosage and enhance and improve efficacy. Lung diseases can be treated with medication at dawn, while kidney diseases can be considered for medication around five o'clock in the afternoon.
Previous Page
Next Page
Previous Page:
Next Page:
Recommended News
Email: marcos.yuan@wangao.com.cn
Address: No. 688, Dinghai Road, Haimen City, Jiangsu Province
Mobile Version QR Code
Whatsapp Account
Copyright © 2025 Jiangsu Wangao Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.