Why Does Medicinal Tonification Fail to Show Results Despite Continuous Use?
Some people who are physically weak, have long-term illnesses, or are elderly often use medicinal tonics for health preservation, but the results are often unsatisfactory or even ineffective. What is the reason?
Incorrect Diagnosis and Treatment
Tonification should begin with understanding one's constitution—whether it is yin deficiency or yang deficiency? Qi deficiency or blood deficiency? Then select appropriate tonics according to the principle of "supplement what is lacking." For example: fatigue and weakness with shortness of breath indicate qi deficiency; such individuals may take ginseng to tonify qi; cold intolerance and lower back pain suggest kidney yang deficiency, which calls for herbs like Eucommia to strengthen kidney and yang; dizziness, weakness, and limb numbness indicate yin-blood deficiency, requiring tonics such as donkey-hide gelatin or peony root to nourish yin and replenish blood.
However, some people mistakenly believe that dizziness, blurred vision, and memory decline indicate general debility and thus take ginseng for tonification—this is inappropriate. Others with yin deficiency and internal fire may take antler velvet, which is akin to pouring oil on fire. Some people suffering from colds, fever, food stagnation, abdominal distension, or diarrhea who still insist on tonifying are essentially aiding evil forces. Similarly, those with qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm turbidity, or external pathogenic heat also attempt tonification—these are all blind and indiscriminate tonifications. Not only do they yield no effect, but they may worsen the condition.
Inadequate Preparation Before Tonification
Before tonifying, it is advisable to first prepare the body through preliminary tonification to lay a solid foundation. For instance, if digestive function is poor or there is abdominal distension, one might first take Xiangsha Liujun Wan or Zhishi Wan before taking tonics, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of tonification.
Improper Dosage
According to guidelines, daily ginseng dosage should not exceed 5g, typically administered in courses of 10–15 days, with optional 2-week breaks between courses. Donkey-hide gelatin should be taken at 15–20g per day, antler velvet wine at 5–8ml daily, and gecko at 10g daily. Too low a dose fails to produce effects, while too high a dose may cause toxic side effects.
Inappropriate Administration Method
When taking tonics, they should be swallowed with warm water. Tea contains tannic acid, which must not be used to swallow tonics, as tannic acid can bind with active ingredients in tonics and render them ineffective. Antler velvet should be ground into fine powder and swallowed or consumed in alcohol; boiling it will destroy its active components.
Neglecting Dietary Supplementation
Many people assume that ginseng can invigorate vital energy and strengthen the body, so dietary supplementation is unnecessary. However, medicinal tonification relies on dietary supplementation. The benefits of medicinal tonification lie in enhancing nervous system and endocrine regulation, improving the body’s stress resistance, promoting synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids, improving functions of the digestive and cardiovascular systems, and restoring them to normal. It also helps regulate metabolism, stimulate hematopoiesis, and boost immunity. Meanwhile, dietary supplementation enhances appetite and ensures full nutrient absorption. Medicinal tonification strengthens the body’s vital essence, while dietary tonification nourishes life; when combined, their effects reinforce each other—food supports medicine, and medicine enhances food, forming a synergistic relationship and yielding better results.