Traditional Chinese medicine can quickly take effect in treating certain illnesses, such as colds which can improve within two to three days. However, for chronic diseases, whether treated with traditional Chinese medicine or Western medicine, the treatment process is usually longer. If feeling uncomfortable when taking traditional Chinese medicine for a long period, you can try taking it continuously for three weeks, then take a week’s break before continuing.
The timing and method of taking traditional Chinese medicine should be adjusted according to the condition: tonic medicine and stomach-tonifying medicine should be taken before meals for better absorption; medicines with strong stimulation should be taken after meals to reduce stomach irritation; deworming or laxative medicine is best taken on an empty stomach for enhanced effectiveness; when treating malaria, medicine should be taken before the onset; calming medicine is suitable for taking before sleep; for acute diseases, medicine should be taken as soon as possible without regard to time.
Usually, medication is taken two to three times a day, which can be reduced to once a day after achieving a stable effect. In some cases, multiple doses or continued consumption may be necessary. Traditional Chinese medicine decoctions are mostly taken warm, but depending on the specific situation, warm conditions may require cold intake, and cold conditions may require warm intake.
Choosing the right beverage to accompany medication is also important, usually water is sufficient, but ginger juice, sugar, or yellow wine can be added if swallowing is difficult. During medication, avoid consuming raw, cold, greasy, and spicy foods, while skin diseases and wounds should avoid seafood and stimulating foods.
The specific timing of medication also matters: taking medicine before meals is beneficial for downward medicinal effects, suitable for treating lower back or intestinal diseases; taking medicine after meals helps with upward medicinal effects, suitable for upper respiratory and chest diseases; taking medicine on an empty stomach facilitates sufficient absorption of tonifying medicine effects, or accelerates the action of worm-expelling and limb-circulation medicines; taking medicine before sleep is suitable for calming the mind, aiding sleep, or treating chest congestion, among other conditions.
When taking traditional Chinese medicine, attention should also be paid to contraindications, such as avoiding the simultaneous intake of spicy, greasy foods, strong tea, and certain foods like radishes which may affect the effectiveness of the medicine. Everyone’s constitution is different, and dietary restrictions should be flexibly adjusted based on individual circumstances. The duration of traditional Chinese medicine regimen varies according to the severity of the condition, usually requiring a continuous three-course treatment (seven days per course), taken morning and evening until the condition improves. During the regimen, maintain good lifestyle habits, avoid stimulant foods, ensure adequate rest and nutrition, and engage in appropriate exercise.
In conclusion, traditional Chinese medicine shows significant efficacy, especially in acute illnesses like colds, but patience is required to complete the entire course of treatment for chronic diseases. Correctly understanding the timing and method of medication, adhering to dietary restrictions, are key to ensuring the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
