Miple ClinicWater, coffee, and alcohol while taking herbal medicine
Taking herbal medicine does not mean you have to give up all foods. There is no particular food you must avoid. But there are tips for water, coffee, and alcohol.
At a glance
| Drink | Guideline | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Plenty | Warm water is best. Do not cut salt too much either |
| Coffee | Fine in moderation | Black, 1–2 cups a day, in the morning |
| Alcohol | Avoid where possible | Only when unavoidable, following the tips below |
Water
Drink plenty of water. Warm water is even better. It helps your body adapt gently to the herbal medicine and eases discomforts such as dry mouth. Do not cut salt too much either. If your food is too bland, headaches and dizziness can come more easily. If you have high blood pressure, keep to the limits you normally follow.
Coffee
- Drink black coffee with no sugar, syrup, or milk, 1–2 cups a day, in the morning.
- Instant mix coffee, lattes, and caramel macchiatos are soft drinks.
- When herbal medicine and caffeine combine, palpitations or insomnia can rarely occur. If you have such symptoms, cut back on coffee or have it only in the morning.
- If afternoon coffee makes your sleep lighter, drink it only in the morning.
Alcohol
Alcohol stops your body's fat-using flow and makes appetite harder to control. You do not have to avoid alcohol absolutely just because you take herbal medicine, but it slows your weight loss. Avoid it where possible.
If you cannot avoid it
| Do this | Reason |
|---|---|
| Choose distilled spirits such as soju or whiskey | They have almost no carbohydrates |
| Avoid beer, makgeolli, fruit liquor, and cocktails | They are liquid carbohydrates and high in sugar |
| Choose meat, raw fish, or vegetables as side dishes | Cut back on the sugar and carbohydrates in soups, stews, and stir-fries |
| One glass of water for each drink | Prevents dehydration and overdrinking |
| If you mix, use sparkling water or a zero-calorie drink | Avoid the sugar in juice and tonic water |
How Miple is different
We set a realistic approach together to fit your life. The head doctor personally follows your progress, and for uncomfortable symptoms, in-house preparation lets us apply changes to your stage right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
My heart pounds when I drink coffee. Can I keep drinking it?
Try cutting back on coffee or switching to one cup in the morning. Light palpitations are a natural adaptation and usually ease within a few days to 1-2 weeks. Please drink plenty of water. Stop taking the medicine and contact us only if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations that worsen even at rest.
Can I not drink even one glass of alcohol while taking herbal medicine?
It is not an absolute ban, but avoid it where possible. If you cannot avoid it, try distilled spirits, meat and vegetable side dishes, and one glass of water for each drink.
Is one cup of instant mix coffee a day okay?
It contains sugar and dairy, so it is best to treat it as a soft drink. Try switching to black.
How much water should I drink a day?
We do not give a fixed amount. Drink plenty of warm water. Do not cut salt too much either. If you are unsure, ask the doctor on KakaoTalk.
Miple Korean Medicine Clinic · Korean medicine doctor · 19 years of clinical experience · Author of 'The Secret to Ending Diets with Korean Medicine' · Inventor of the GONG BI JIN YAK patent (No. 10-2865645)
Curious about a prescription that fits your body?
After a body composition test, the head doctor consults with you in person.
This article is general health information and does not replace individual diagnosis or prescription. The effects and side effects of herbal medicine vary from person to person.
