The Proper Method for Decocting Traditional Chinese Medicine

Herbal decoctions are prepared using water as the solvent. The amount of water added should be determined based on the properties, volume, water absorption capacity, and required therapeutic dosage of the herbs. If too much water is added, the concentration of the medicine will be too low, and an excessive amount of decoction may affect its efficacy; conversely, if too little water is used, it will be difficult to extract the effective components of the herbs, and the decoction may burn easily, leading to waste and potentially opposite effects. Today, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners recommend...3We offer various methods of watering, for your selection.

　　1Traditional method of adding water: Place the traditional Chinese medicine in a sand pot, spread it evenly with your hands, then add water that is higher than the level of the medicine.3～4Centimeters (nail length) of water. This method**For simplicity and convenience, use**More, but with slightly lower accuracy.

　　2Volumetric Watering Method: You can use a measuring cup or beaker to add water according to different therapeutic herbs, as well as the first and second decoctions requiring different water quantities. The specified water quantities for various decoctions are as follows: for regulating and tonifying herbs, the first decoction...700－900Milliliters, second brew400－450Ml; general medicine (herbal remedies primarily used to treat various diseases), first decoction500－700Milliliters, second infusion.300－350Ml; medicine for treating colds and external symptoms, first decoction400－600Milliliters, second decoction280－300Milliliters. This method is more accurate than the traditional water addition method, but when dealing with larger drug quantities, the amount of water added may seem less.

　　3．Weight addition method: You can determine the amount of water to add based on the total weight of the medication. After the traditional Chinese medicine has been prepared, take1Apply the medication, weigh it, then proceed accordingly.1Korean Traditional Medicine Added10The principle of a milliliter of water, calculating the total amount of water added.65Add %**Fry in the middle, leave the rest.35Reserve % for the second boil. For example, the tonifying and regulating medicine, Ginseng Nourishing Soup, has a total weight of the medicine.150Please provide the Chinese content to be translated.1500ML, first decoction should be added65No Chinese content provided. Please provide the text to be translated.975Milliliters, second decoction, add water.35Please provide the Chinese content to be translated.525The milliliter method ensures precise water addition, especially suitable for traditional Chinese medicine formulas with a variety of drug types and large dosages. Although this method is more cumbersome than the two previously mentioned, it is more accurate.

Additionally, when there are more flower (such as stable flower, bag bag flower, etc.) and leaf ingredients (such as mulberry leaves, loquat leaves, etc.), you can add a little more water.

Some individuals prefer to heat water before decocting medicine, believing it can reduce the required decocting time, making the process faster and more thorough, while also saving time and effort, allowing for quicker consumption. However, this method is unscientific. When hot water is poured into raw herbs, the outer tissue of the herbs immediately solidifies and shrinks due to the sudden impact of high temperature, especially forming an irreversible denaturation layer of proteins on the cell wall, which hinders the penetration of water. This makes it difficult for the effective components dissolved within the tissue to be extracted, significantly affecting the extraction rate of the active ingredients. Therefore, one should never use hot water when decocting traditional Chinese medicine. Similarly, herbs should be soaked for a period before decocting to allow water to penetrate the internal tissue of the herbs, facilitating the extraction of active ingredients. However, hot water should be avoided; only cold water should be used.

The Proper Way to Decoct Traditional Chinese Medicine, as introduced in the previous section.3The Proper Way to Decoct Chinese Herbs - We hope these introductions bring you assistance.