Clinic

A woman with irregular menstruation, weakness, and a soft voice came to my morning clinic. As soon as she entered the examination room, a strong scent filled the air, almost overwhelming. The patient had a fine, wiry pulse and a pale tongue with white coating. Upon questioning, I learned that she worked at a perfume counter. I advised her, “The first thing you need to do to improve your health is to use less or no fragrance.” Here’s why in more detail. Perfumes mainly consist of alcohol and fragrances, which can be divided into natural and synthetic fragrances based on their origin. Natural fragrances refer to the aromatic parts of plants or animals used directly or processed without changing their original components. Many natural fragrances found in nature also serve as aromatic traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). According to TCM, strongly fragrant substances should not be used by those with insufficient yin and blood. They can exacerbate heat and dryness in individuals with excessive heat and fluid loss, as noted by Ye Tianshi, who said, “In cases of dried-up blood and fluids, strong fragrances are strictly prohibited.” Additionally, those slightly deficient in vital energy should use them cautiously, and those with…

"Doctor, can Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) completely cure a herniated lumbar disc?" Ms. Zhou, aged 36, inquired at the clinic. Over the past month, Ms. Zhou had experienced lower back pain and radiating pain and numbness in her left thigh and calf. After examination, she was diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc (referred to as "herniated disc" hereafter). Despite rest and medication, the effects were not significant, and some hospitals recommended surgery. She came to the TCM hospital, hoping for TCM treatment. Based on her condition, the doctor provided integrated TCM therapy, and after three weeks, her symptoms completely disappeared. According to Dr. Ma Hongwei, director of the Department of Orthopedics at the Ningxia Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Research Institute of TCM, once a disc protrudes, it is difficult to return it to its original position. The goal of TCM treatment is to achieve harmony between the body and the herniated disc. Why Does the Lumbar Disc Protrude? A disc is like an elastic "washer" between two vertebral bodies, with its edge surrounded by fibrous rings and a soft collagenous nucleus in the middle, separated from the vertebral bodies above and below by thin layers of cartilage plates.…

In the clinic, patients often ask: "Doctor, I usually enjoy drinking tea, but I am taking Chinese medicine recently. Can I drink tea while taking Chinese medicine? Will it affect the efficacy of the Chinese medicine?" Today, let's talk about how to drink tea scientifically.Nine categories of situations where tea drinking is not recommended: ① When taking iron supplements Anemic patients typically take iron-containing medications, and the tannic acid in tea reacts with iron to form insoluble precipitates. This not only affects the absorption of the drug but also stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, causing discomfort. Therefore, drinking tea while taking iron supplements means the iron intake is essentially wasted, and the iron deficiency anemia will not be corrected. ② When taking Chinese herbs primarily composed of alkaloids When taking Chinese herbs such as Ephedra or Coptis, which are primarily composed of alkaloids, tea consumption should be avoided. The tannic acid in tea easily reacts with alkaloids to form insoluble precipitates, affecting the effectiveness of the medication. ③ When taking tonifying Chinese herbs When taking tonifying Chinese herbs such as Codonopsis, Astragalus, Polygonum multiflorum, or Psoralea, tea drinking is not recommended. The tannic acid in tea has astringent properties, which can…