The frequency of taking Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) depends on the specific condition being treated. For herbal remedies aimed at addressing physical weakness and excess cold, it is generally recommended to take them every six hours. In contrast, for herbs that promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis, a twelve-hour interval is typically advised.
If a patient is taking medicine for a cold and deficient constitution (xu han), the dosage should usually be spaced six hours apart to ensure the stability of the treatment, and it should be taken warm. For remedies targeting a heat excess constitution (shi re), the medicine should be allowed to cool before consumption. If the patient has poor gastrointestinal function, it is advisable to take TCM after meals to avoid affecting absorption and, consequently, the efficacy of the herbs. For blood circulation-promoting medicines, a twelve-hour interval is usually necessary to effectively promote soft tissue recovery and enhance the therapeutic effects. If the blood-activating and stasis-resolving medicine contains many tonifying ingredients, it should be taken before meals to facilitate better absorption by the stomach and enhance the medicine’s action. For regulating menstruation with blood-activating and stasis-resolving herbs, it is best to take them about two hours after meals to minimize irritation to the gastric mucosa.
Patients are advised to avoid consuming cold, raw, spicy, or irritating foods while taking TCM, as these can interfere with the efficacy of the treatment. After taking TCM, it is recommended to sit quietly for about ten minutes to allow the medicine to move from the stomach into the intestines, which can help prevent reactions such as vomiting or nausea that may occur from immediate activity after taking the medicine.