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Points -  Ask the Doctor

Q: My TCM practitioner tells me I shouldn’t drink coffee if I’m being treated with herbs. Why can’t I drink coffee? I love coffee. What about decaf?

A:  The herbal formula given by one’s TCM practitioner usually is a customized formulation according to one’s specific condition and constitution. As we all know, coffee contains caffeine, theobromine, theophylline, and tannins, and is a strong stimulant. For someone being treated with herbs, drinking coffee may affect or alter the balancing function of the herbal formula in the body system. Moreover, one should also avoid other strong stimulants, such as strong tea, spicy foods, and alcohol, while taking herbal medicine. Although decaffeinated coffee does not contain as much caffeine as regular coffee, it is still considered a mild stimulant and may interfere with herbal medicine. Generally, decaf is also not recommended during the course of taking herbal medicine. I know Juan Valdez will be sad to hear this.

About our Doctors

This month's Ask the Doctor question was answered by:

Wing-benn Deng, BS, MATCM, PhD, Dipl Ac & CH (NCCAOM), LAc
BS, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of California, San Diego
MATCM, Yo San University of TCM
Ph.D., American Liberty University

Wing-Benn currently serves at Yo San University in Los Angeles as the Herb Lab Manager and he has his own private practice at the Yo San Clinic. He also teaches courses including Chinese Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Chinese Nutrition, Acupuncture, and a State Board Review class. His private practice includes pain management (sports injuries, arthritis, joint and back pain, migraines and chronic headaches), allergies, high blood pressure, stress management, male and female infertility, Tuina (massage), nutritional counseling, and treatment of senior citizen health problems. Wing-Benn delivered a well-received series of community lectures for seniors as part of YSU’s Advancing Healthy Aging program.

For more info on Dr. Deng, click here

March 2007
Volume 5, Number 3

Pain Management

Holistic Veterinarians

Acupuncture Treatment for Substance Abuse

Recent Research

Ask The Doctor

Allergy Tamer Elixir

Tame Your Allergies All Year Round

Perpetual Shield Immune Booster

Strengthen the Body with Immune-Enhancing Chinese Herbs

Enduring Youth  Capsules

A Special Formula that Nourishes and Balances the Body

Internal Cleanse Capsules

Promotes Gentle Detoxification

B-Slim

Lose Weight Naturally with Chinese Herbs