
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
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