Suggestions for using nutrition in the process of recovery from drug use.
This information draws on the traditional Chinese medicine approach to holistic wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How can I detox my liver?>>
- I feel foggy all the time>>
- I can’t sleep for more than a few hours straight. I wake up really tired>>
- I’m nauseous all the time>>
- I can’t seem to keep any food down>>
- I used to be able to eat what I like. Now, I seem to get indigestion really easily>>
- My belly often aches for no apparent reason>>
- Muscle cramps wake me up during the night>>
- I fly off the handle very easily>>
- Every night, I wake up drenched with the sweats and I have to change my bedding>>
- My energy is always low so I rely on caffeine to see me through the day>>
- Since using, I can’t seem to eat until the afternoon. I’d like to be able to eat more healthily again>>
- I can only go to the toilet every few days. I feel so full and uncomfortable all the time>>
- My moods are so changeable>>
- When I get anxious, my heart races and I get flushed and sweaty. This makes me even more self-conscious>>
- I feel lethargic and unmotivated all the time>>
- How can I take care of my teeth while using methadone?>>
- eat smaller meals
- reduce foods high in saturated fats (eg. Meats, cheese, cream, eggs)
- eliminate hydrogenated & poor quality fats (eg. Margarine/butter substitutes, refined & rancid oils- often found in processed foods such as biscuits, cakes, chocolate bars – look for hydrogenate palm oil etc)
- avoid excessive amounts of nuts & seeds. Always shell nuts freshly to avoid rancidity. Peanuts are notorious for rancidity. Limit them. Keep seeds refrigerated and do not store for long periods.
- reduce your intake of chemicals in food & water. Have unsprayed, biodynamic or organic food where possible (one can reduce chemicals by soaking vegetables & fruit in filtered water with a drop of grapefruit seed extract). Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, celery and Asian greens take in a lot of chemicals so try to buy unsprayed, biodynamic or organic.
- There are a lot of toxins in our drinking water, such as chlorine, sodium fluoride and microorganisms. Distillation and reverse osmosis are amongst the most effective methods of purification (remember, this is a lucrative business). You may simply choose to purchase spring water. There are Organic varieties available. Sparkling Mineral water with a slice of lemon or lime can make a refreshing change.
- prescription drugs all tax the liver. Remember the blood passes through the liver for metabolism of chemicals herein.
- highly processed and refined foods are not easily recognized by the body, and are more often than not, devoid of usable nutrients.Have plenty of whole foods.
Foods for Liver cooling & detoxification
Mungbeans sprouts (click here for instructions for growing at home), Seaweeds, Celery, Lettuce, Cucumber, Watercress, Mushrooms, Plum, Rhubarb, Radish, Daikon radish. Chlorophyll rich foods & supplements such as: Parsley, Kale, Watercress, Alfalfa, Romaine Lettuce, Cabbage, Dandelion. Greens, Wheat or Barley Grass (10g powder beforemeals), Spirulena, Chlorella, Wild bluegreen algae, Kelp (3g tablet with 1 meal
‘Eat your way to a healthy liver’
Growing bean sprouts at home is easy! Click here for instructions
I feel foggy all the time.
Feeling foggy or cloudy can often relate back to your digestion and the food you eat. Reducing rich foods, such as greasy foods, dairy foods, and refined sugars and increasing foods that resolve the turbidity or dampness in the digestive system will help bring about a sense of clarity. Herbs can also accelerate this process.
Dampness-resolving grains (20% of daily consumption):
- Millet, Roasted Buckwheat Groats, Rye, Barley, Amaranth, Quinoa
- Sprouted Grains (20% of daily consumption)
- Barley, Rice, Millet , Rye, Quinoa, Oats
I can’t sleep for more than a few hours straight. I wake up really tired.
Check your caffeine consumption. Switch to peppermint tea, chamomile, valerian, vervain or other herbal teas. You could always try water-decaffeinated coffee or low caffeine tea. Try to avoid colas or energy drinks. How much sweet food do you eat in a day? How many sugars do you take in your hot drinks? Refined sugars (white, raw, brown) act as stimulants & can keep your mind alert, when you are trying to rest.
Sometimes foods which nourish the calm/grounded aspect (Yin) of the Kidneys can assist:
Grains & Seeds such as: Millet, Barley, Wheat germ, Black sesame seed
Beans/Legumes and their products: Tofu, String beans, Blackbeans, Black soybeans, Mung beans/sprouts, Kidney bean & most other beans
Fruit such as: Watermelon & other melons, Blackberry, Mulberry, Blueberry
Vegetables such as: Water chestnut, Potato
Chlorophyll-rich foods such as: Seaweeds, Spirulina, Chlorella
Animal products such as: Sardines, Crab, Clam, Eggs (in moderation), Pork (in moderation), Dairy products (in moderation).
- Substances which consume Kidney Yin are alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, other intoxicants & some medications.
- Adequate pre-midnight sleep is also extremely important for the regeneration of Yin.
- There are non-addictive Chinese herbal formulae which can be taken to alleviate insomnia.
I can’t eat because I’m nauseous all the time.
Nausea can be a side-effect of using some drugs. Drugs aggravate the Liver energy, which in turn exerts its frustration on the Stomach. Nausea can also be a common persistent symptom after drug use has ceased. Weak digestion can cause nausea. If the digestion is unable to cope with the food it receives, it can create a turbid by-product known as dampness. Overnight, dampness congeals, which is why nausea can often occur upon rising in the morning & food is not wanted.
Eating foods which strengthen the digestive system, such as oats, barley, rye, millet and rice, and avoidance of those foods that impede digestion or create dampness, such as oily, greasy, rich foods, refined sugars and very cold or frozen foods, can make a significant improvement in reducing nausea.
There are Chinese herbal formulae to strengthen the digestion & resolve dampness.
A simple temporary for nausea is to sip fresh ginger tea:
Fresh Ginger Tea:
Grate ½ teaspoon of fresh ginger into a mug
Pour over boiling water
Allow to steep for 5 minutes
Drink (you may strain if preferred)
You can reuse the same ginger a couple more times.
I can’t seem to keep any food down.
As with nausea, vomiting can be a side-effect of using some drugs, which cause the Liver energy to attach the stomach. Sometimes the digestive system is so weak, that it doesn’t have the capacity to digest many everyday foods. A way to reduce the likelihood of vomiting, and to gently strengthen the digestive system, is to introduce small amounts of well cooked foods. These foods are cooked for long periods so that the body carries less of the burden of digestion. Some examples : soups with root vegetables, such as carrots, potato, sweet potato, and grains, such as rice or barley.
Rice congee can strengthen a weak digestive system and rouse the appetite. This bland food can be taken in small amounts of 1-2 tablespoons, until larger amounts are tolerated.
Rice Congee (soup)
½ cup washed brown rice
1 tsp fresh ginger grated/finely chopped
5 Chinese red dates (from Asian grocer)
Barley malt or shaved palm sugar (1 teaspoon per serve)
3 cups boiling water
Bring rice, fresh ginger and water to the boil. Reduce heat & simmer on low for 1 hour, stirring often. Stir in Chinese red dates (which strengthen the digestive system, nourish the blood & calm the spirit) & simmer for a further 30 minutes, until the rice is like a slurry & the dates are tender.
Take portions of ½ to 1 cup at a time. Stir in 1 teaspoon of barley malt or palm sugar. Eat the dates too!
Alternatively, rice congee can be made in a slow cooker over the course of the day or overnight. Simply double the quantity of water, and cook on the lowest setting for up to 8 hours.
Although, this might not be the most palatable food, its gentle nature enables it to be digested, and it’s healing properties help to resurrect even the weakest digestion.
Sipping Fresh Ginger tea can also assist the stomach, where vomiting is persistent.
Fresh Ginger Tea:
Grate ½ teaspoon of fresh ginger into a mug
Pour over boiling water
Allow to steep for 5 minutes
Drink (you may strain if preferred)
You can reuse the same ginger a couple more times.
I used to be able to eat what I like. Now, I seem to get indigestion really easily.
Symptoms of indigestion, such as frequent burping/belching, heartburn and/or acid reflux are often related to drug use aggravating the Liver energy, which in turn attacks the Stomach. These symptoms can be improved by increasing the consumption of foods that harmonise the Liver energy and enhance digestion:
Foods to relieve Liver stagnancy:-
Moderately Pungent vegetables, herbs & spices disperse blocked or stagnant energy, giving a lightness to the body and mind.
Some examples are:
Watercress, Mustard greens- sprouted from mustard seeds. Basil, Mint, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Ginger, Fennel, Dill, Marjoram, Horseradish, Bay leaves, Black pepper, Turmeric, Cardamom, Cumin. Vegetables from the onion family- onions, garlic, leek, spring onions, shallots, chives
Mild & non-pungent foods which resolve stagnation of Liver energy:
Beets, Taro root, Sweet rice, Amasake (Japanese sweetener made from fermented rice- healthfood store)
Strawberry, Peach, Cherry, Chestnut, Pinenut, Brassica vegetables- broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, turnip, swede, kale, kohlrabi
Alcoholic beverages temporarily help relieve Liver stagnancy but causes cell destruction
Raw foods:Sprouted grains, Sprouted beans (click here for instructions for growing at home), Sprouted seeds, Fresh vegetables, Fresh fruit
Foods to harmonize the Liver:
- Raw honey, used sparingly, detoxifies (1 tsp can be mixed with 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar taken in warm water.
- Sweeteners with minimal processing such as stevia leaf powder, unrefined cane sugar, palm sugar, and maple syrup.
- If heat signs are absent, try barley malt, rice syrup, date sugar, molasses
- Chewing food 30 to 50 times per mouthful, before swallowing, also allows the digestive enzymes in the mouth to break down more of the food before it reaches the next level of digestion, the stomach. Chewing also stimulates the production of digestive enzymes in other parts of the digestive tract.
Foods to avoid are:
- those high in saturated fats (eg. Meats, cheese, cream, eggs)
- hydrogenated & poor quality fats (eg. Margarine/butter substitutes, refined & rancid oils- often found in processed foods such as biscuits, cakes, chocolate bars – look for hydrogenate palm oil etc)
- excessive amounts of nuts & seeds. Always shell nuts freshly to avoid rancidity. Peanuts are notorious for rancidity. Avoid them. Keep seeds refrigerated and do not store for long periods.
.
My belly often aches for no apparent reason.
Abdominal pain may be due to a number of reasons. Drug use can cause the Liver energy to stagnate, as can stress & anxiety. The pain may be associated with diarrhoea or constipation, gynaecological issues or even Hepatitis. There are many more possibilities & you may benefit from seeking a diagnosis from a general practitioner.
Treatment will vary, depending on the cause of the pain. You can always benefit from eating foods to harmonise the Liver energy, as it has a strong influence on the abdominal area. Generally, pain responds to warmth. If heat signs are absent, reducing the intake of cold foods & drink may assist. Applying a wheat bag or hot water bottle may also be soothing.
Foods to harmonize the Liver:
- Raw honey, used sparingly, detoxifies (1 tsp can be mixed with 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar taken in warm water)
- Sweeteners with minimal processing such as stevia leaf powder, unrefined cane sugar, palm sugar, and maple syrup
- If heat signs are absent, try barley malt, rice syrup, date sugar, molasses
.
Muscle Cramps wake me up during the night.
Often muscle cramps occur when you reduce your drug use. Eating lots of magnesium-rich foods and/or taking a magnesium supplement can assist in alleviating cramping.
Try the following snacks:
- soy products (sprouts, miso/tahini dip, organic non genetically modified milk)
- dried seaweeds (nori/sushi/california rolls, seaweed salad)
- mung beans or sprouts (click here for instructions for growing at home) , buckwheat (in rivita country grains, multigrain corn cakes, pancakes – see recipe)
- millet (millet crackers, multigrain corn cakes)
- corn (plain stoneground corn chips- try hole-sum foods’ corn cakes, corn bread)
- barley (bread, mountain bread, biscuits)
- rye (ryvita, rye sourdough breads)
- brown rice (crackers)
- almonds (freshly shelled, raw, roasted, unsalted)
- cashews (raw, or roasted, unsalted)
- hazelnuts (freshly shelled, raw, roasted, unsalted)
- sesame seeds (black sesame crackers)
.
I fly off the handle very easily
This can occur when the Liver has been overburdened by the use of intoxicants and/or there are unresolved emotional issues. In either case, enjoying foods which disperse stagnant Liver energy, harmonize and assist your Liver in detoxification will be helpful. Effectiveness can be increased by incorporating dietary changes with counselling and other therapeutic activities.
Foods to relieve Liver stagnancy:-
Moderately Pungent vegetables, herbs & spices disperse blocked or stagnant energy, giving a lightness and more free-flowing experience of the body and mind.
Some examples are:
Watercress, Vegetables from the onion family- onions, garlic, leek, spring onions, shallots, chives, Mustard greens- sprouted from mustard seeds
Basil, Mint, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Ginger, Fennel, Dill, Marjoram, Horseradish, Bay leaves, Black pepper, Turmeric, Cardamom, Cumin
Mild & non-pungent foods which resolve stagnation of Liver energy:
Beets,Taro root, Sweet rice, Amasake (Japanese sweetener made from fermented rice – healthfood store), Strawberry, Peach, Cherry, Chestnut, Pinenut
Brassica vegetables- broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, turnip, swede, kale, kohlrabi
Alcoholic beverages temporarily help relieve Liver stagnancy but cause cell destruction
Raw foods:
Sprouted grains, sprouted beans (click here for instructions for growing at home), sprouted seeds, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit
Foods to harmonise the Liver:-
- Raw honey, used sparingly, detoxifies (1 tsp can be mixed with 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar taken in warm water)
- Sweeteners with minimal processing such as stevia leaf powder, unrefined cane sugar, palm sugar, and maple syrup
- If heat signs are absent- barley malt, rice syrup, date sugar, molasses
Bitter & sour foods to reduce excess:-
- High quality vinegars (both bitter & sour, detoxifying and activating, take 1 tsp each vinegar & raw honey- use only as a temporary measure)
- Unrefined apple cider vinegar
- Brown rice vinegar
- Rice wine vinegar
If heat signs are present- substitute with lemon, lime or grapefruit
Bitter foods:
Rye, Romaine lettuce, Asparagus, Amaranth, Quinoa, Alfalfa, Radish leaves, Citrus peel
Bitter teas:
Dandelion root , Chamomile
Foods for Liver cooling & detoxification:-
- Mung beans & sprouts (click here for instructions for growing at home), Celery, Lettuce, Cucumber, Watercress
- Mushrooms, Tofu, Millet grain, Plum, Rhubarb, Radish, Daikon radish (white carrot shaped), Seaweeds
- Chlorophyll rich foods & supplements such as:
- Parsley, Kale, Watercress,Alfalfa, Romaine Lettuce, Cabbage,Dandelion Greens, Wheat or Barley Grass (10g powder before meals), Spirulena, Chlorella, Wild bluegreen algae, Kelp (3g tablet with 1 meal)
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Every night, I wake up drenched with the sweats and I have to change my bedding
Night sweating is part of the body’s attempt to rid itself of chemicals. In Chinese Medicine, night sweating usually means that the Fire and Water elements of the body are not in balance. Excess Fire can be reduced by strengthening the Water element, the Kidneys.
Foods which nourish the cooling aspect (Yin) of the Kidneys are:
Grains & Seeds such as: Millet, Barley, Wheat germ, Black sesame seeds
Beans/Legumes and their products: Tofu, String beans, Blackbeans, Black soybeans, Mung beans/sprouts, Kidney bean & most other beans
Fruit such as: Watermelon & other melons, Blackberry, MulberryBlueberry
Vegetables such as: Water chestnut, Potato
Chlorophyll-rich foods such as: Seaweeds, Spirulina, Chlorella
Animal products such as: Sardines, Crab, Clam, Eggs (in moderation), Pork (in moderation), Dairy products (in moderation)
Substances which consume Kidney Yin are alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, other intoxicants & some medications.
Adequate pre-midnight sleep is also extremely important for the regeneration of Yin.
.
My energy is always low so that I rely on coffee to see me through the day
Low energy can relate to your intake of food, frequency of eating and the types of foods you eat. It can also occur if your digestive system is weak. This can be the case if your eating has been irregular for an extended period.
Taking smaller meals more frequently throughout the day can lessen the burden on the digestive system. Eating whole foods (as opposed to refined, processed or fast-foods) such as whole grains, freshly shelled nuts, seeds, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit and fresh herbs allows for quick recognition by the body and more efficient assimilation. Whole foods also tend to release sugars into the bloodstream more slowly and evenly, leading to a less dramatic rise and fall in energy.
Foods which strengthen the digestive system can also be incorporated, such as:
Oats, Barley, Rye, Mushrooms, Red Radish, Daikon (white radish), Carrots, Beets, Parsnips, Swedes (rutabagas)
Since using, I can’t seem to eat until the afternoon. I’ d like to be able to eat more healthily again.
- Your digestive system will have weakened with any extended period of irregular eating. Certainly, eating when you are not hungry is not ideal, as your digestive system is not indicating that it is ready to receive food.
- Taking small meals which incorporate digestion-strengthening foods, such as the following, can begin to improve your digestive system:
- Oats, Barley, Rye, Mushrooms, Red Radish, Daikon (white radish), Carrots, Beets, Parsnips, Swedes (rutabagas)
- In addition, incorporating bitter foods, such as lettuce, rocket, celery and rye, can start to stimulate your appetite and assist in proper assimilation of your food.
- Chinese Herbal formulae can also help strengthen the digestive system and rouse the appetite.
I can only go to the toilet every few days. I feel so full and uncomfortable all the time.
Constipation can be a result of opiate use, insufficient water intake or insufficient fiber intake. In Chinese Medicine, it can also be a result of heat and dryness, weak digestion or blood deficiency.
The following are some simple remedies to try before resorting to medications or herbs:
- Increase your intake of whole fresh fruit (not juice) and vegetables
- Drink at least 6 glasses of plain water per day
- Drink a tablespoon of honey dissolved in hot water upon rising, on an empty stomach
- Take at least 1 tablespoon of chemical-free cold-pressed Flaxseed (linseed) oil, daily
- Incorporate sesame seed and/or sesame paste (tahini) into your daily eating
- Incorporate LSA (Linseed, Sunflower Seeds & Almonds) into your daily eating (buy it freshly ground from the healthfood shop and store it in the fridge, to use within 2 weeks). Take 1 tablespoon on wholegrain cereal
- Incorporate psyllium husks, 1 tablespoon on wholegrain cereal, until the bowels become regular
- Eat dried fruit, especially figs, prunes and dates
- Avoid nuts (apart from LSA), oily, greasy, rich or very sweet foods, as these can bind up the intestines
- Avoid roasted barley (usually in coffee substitutes)
- Exercise daily. This improves the peristaltic movement of your intestines
Abdomen Massage
Massage your abdomen with your fist. Lying on your back with your knees bent, begin at the lower right corner of your abdomen.
Massaging with your fist, work your way up to the top right corner, across to the top left corner, down to the bottom left corner, and back to the bottom right corner.
Repeat 20 times more, several times per day.
In Chinese Medicine, mood is related to the Liver energy. When the mood is changeable, there is often underlying stagnation of the Liver energy. Exercise can quickly shift stagnant Liver energy, as can various bodyworks, such shiatsu, massage and acupuncture.
Often there are underlying emotional issues which are not being dealt with. Bodywork can release the energy blockages, while counselling can help with the processing of these issues, as they come up.
Foods can assist with mood by dispersing stagnant Liver energy. These are some examples:
Moderately Pungent vegetables, herbs & spices disperse blocked or stagnant energy, giving a lightness and more free-flowing experience of the body and mind. Some examples are
- Watercress, Vegetables from the onion family- onions, garlic, leek, spring onions, shallots, chives
- Mustard greens- sprouted from mustard seeds
- Basil
- Mint
- Lemon balm
- Rosemary
- Ginger
- Fennel
- Dill
- Marjoram
- Horseradish
- Bay leaves
- Black pepper
- Turmeric
- Cardamom
- Cumin
Mild & non-pungent foods which resolve stagnation of Liver energy:
- Beets
- Taro root
- Sweet rice
- Amasake (Japanese sweetener made from fermented rice- healthfood store)
- Strawberry
- Peach
- Cherry
- Chestnut
- Pinenut
- Brassica vegetables- broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, turnip, swede, kale, kohlrabi
Alcoholic beverages temporarily help relieve Liver stagnancy but cause cell destruction
Raw foods:
- Sprouted grains
- Sprouted beans (click here for instructions for growing at home)
- Sprouted seeds
- Fresh vegetables
- Fresh fruit
When I get anxious, my heart races and I get flushed and sweaty. This makes me even more self-conscious.
Anxiety can be a reaction to a stressful situation or the anticipation of one. When the stressful situation has passed, and anxiety is still present, this may be the result of an imbalance in the body/mind.
Stress switches on our sympathetic nervous system, causing a ‘fight or flight’ response. In essence, physically, we are preparing to put up a fight or flee the situation. When this response is activated, we draw on our reserve energy. Over time, our reserves become depleted and we lose our sense of feeling grounded. Nourishing the Kidney Yin (the cooling, calming aspect) can help to replenish our reserves and bring about a sense of calm.
Foods which nourish the Kidney Yin are:
Grains & Seeds such as:
Millet, barley, wheat germ, black sesame seeds
Beans/Legumes and their products: tofu, string beans, blackbeans, black soybeans, mung beans/sprouts (click here for instructions for growing at home), kidney bean & most other beans
Fruit such as:
Watermelon & other melons, blackberry, mulberry,blueberry, huckleberry
Vegetables such as:
Water chestnut, Potato
Chlorophyll-rich foods such as:
Seaweeds, Spirulina, Chlorella
Animal products such as:
Sardines, Crab, Clam, Eggs (in moderation), Pork (in moderation), Dairy products (in moderation)
Substances which consume Kidney Yin are alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, other intoxicants & some medications.
Adequate pre-midnight sleep is also extremely important for the regeneration of Yin.
I feel lethargic and unmotivated all the time.
Lethargy, according to Chinese Medicine, can sometimes relate to a deficiency in the Fire of the body. This fire is an aspect of the Kidney energy, and affects the lower back, hips and knees. Rousing the fire can bring about a warmer body, improved circulation, improved digestion, renewed enthusiasm and motivation.
One of the simplest fire-invigorative drinks is Indian Chai Tea. Low in caffeine, Chai often incorporates Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardamom, Dried Ginger and Nutmeg.
Indian Chai Tea for one
½ tsp fresh ginger, grated
½ a Cinnamon quill, crumbled
1 Clove
1 Cardamom pod cracked
1 piece Dried Ginger
Nutmeg, ¼ tsp freshly grated
1 ½ tsp loose leaf low caffeine tea or 1 teabag emptied (try Madura or Nature’s Cuppa)
- Put chai mixture into a saucepan with half a mug of water and half a mug of the milk of your choice.
- On a low flame, gently bring to a simmer for two or three minutes until hot.
- Strain and serve sweetened with honey (optional).
There are also some wonderful commercially blended Chai teas to try.
Foods which improve the Kidney Fire (Yang) are:
Cloves, Fenugreek seeds, Fennel seeds, Anise seeds, Black peppercorns, Dried ginger, Cinnamon bark
Walnuts, Black beans, Onion family, Quinoa, Chicken, Lamb, Trout, Salmon
Always combine with at least one Yin (cooling) tonic (see below)
Lethargy can also relate to extreme exhaustion, where the Kidney energy, the foundation of the body-mind, is so depleted that one has little impetus to go out and do things in the world. Cultivating the Yin requires nurturing and nourishment, taking time out to reflect, gentle stretching and exercise.
Foods which nourish the Kidney Yin are:
Grains & Seeds such as: Millet, Barley, Wheat germ, Black sesame seeds
Beans/Legumes and their products: Tofu, String beans, Blackbeans, Black soybeans, Mung beans/sprouts (click here for instructions for growing at home), Kidney bean & most other beans
Fruit such as: Watermelon & other melons, Blackberry, Mulberry, Blueberry
Vegetables such as: Water chestnut, Potato
Chlorophyll-rich foods such as: Seaweeds, Spirulina, Chlorella
Animal products such as: Sardines, Crab, Clam, Eggs (in moderation), Pork (in moderation), Dairy products (in moderation)
Substances which consume Kidney Yin are alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, other intoxicants & some medications.
Adequate pre-midnight sleep is also extremely important for the regeneration of Yin.
How can I take care of my teeth while on Methadone?
* Methadone can cause dry mouth though decreased saliva (xerostomia). Good dental hygiene is extremely important when taking methadone for the following reasons. The syrup, which delivers the dose, contains sugar and the saliva which, assists in combating bacteria on the teeth and gums, is decreased, giving a greater susceptibility to developing serious tooth decay. For more information and tips on good dental hygiene>>
Note: Although the information in this section was written by a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, The Buoyancy Foundation of Victoria accepts no legal responsibility nor liability for any errors or omissions. The information in this section is presented as is, for educational purposes only. As with any medical matter, always consult your healthcare professional before acting on any health-related information. If you would like to seek advice from a registered TCM practitioner – click here for a list of clinics