What should children avoid when drinking traditional Chinese medicine

During the period when children drink traditional Chinese medicine, they need to avoid eating raw, cold, spicy, greasy, oily, and foods that are incompatible with the medicinal properties. Taboos mainly target specific foods such as cold drinks, chili peppers, fatty meat, seafood, mung beans, etc., which need to be adjusted according to the nature of traditional Chinese medicine and the symptoms.

1. Raw and Cold Foods

When taking warm and nourishing traditional Chinese medicine, avoid raw and cold foods such as ice cream, cold drinks, and raw fish slices. This type of food is prone to damage the spleen and stomach yang qi, affecting drug absorption, especially for children with cold syndrome such as colds, coughs, and diarrhea. Children with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold need to strictly avoid food intake, otherwise it may worsen symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea.

2. Spicy and stimulating

Spicy ingredients such as chili peppers, scallions, ginger, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns should be avoided. These types of foods may have divergent medicinal effects or conflict with heat clearing drugs, making them particularly unsuitable for children with fever, sore throat, and skin diseases. Spicy food may also irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing nausea and discomfort after taking medication.

3. Greasy and thick

Fat meat, fried foods, cream products, etc. need to be restricted. High fat foods can increase the burden on the spleen and stomach, delay drug absorption, and especially affect the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine such as phlegm resolving and cough relieving, spleen strengthening and digestion. Children with indigestion or indigestion should maintain a light diet during medication.

4. Traditional ingredients such as seafood, lamb, goose, bamboo shoots, etc. should be handled with caution. These types of foods may trigger allergies or worsen skin ulcers, asthma, and other conditions. It is especially important to avoid taking traditional Chinese medicine for dampness and detoxification. It is recommended to record dietary reactions during medication for children with allergic constitution.

5. Avoid foods that may have detoxifying effects, such as mung beans, radishes, and strong tea. Green beans can clear heat and detoxify, which can counteract the warming and tonifying effects. Radish breaking qi may affect the effectiveness of qi tonifying formulas. Tannic acid in tea can combine with certain traditional Chinese medicine ingredients and precipitate. The specific list of contraindications needs to be personalized and adjusted according to medical advice. During the period when children take traditional Chinese medicine, parents should pay attention to observing their children's reactions to food and maintain a regular diet that is easy to digest. It is recommended to choose neutral foods such as rice porridge, steamed vegetables, mild fruits, etc. The interval between taking medicine and eating should be more than one hour. If there are abnormal reactions such as decreased appetite and rash, it is necessary to promptly contact a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to adjust the medication plan. Strict dietary restrictions should be followed while ensuring balanced nutrition. You can consult a doctor to develop a suitable dietary therapy plan.