Does Chinese medicine need to be boiled twice?

When boiling Chinese medicine, most of the key points need to be boiled for a long time, because only in this way can the medicinal power contained in the Chinese herbal medicine be fully manifested. Moreover, most patients are advised by doctors to boil the Chinese medicinal materials twice after they take them home. Although patients have kept the doctor's instructions in mind, they still don't know why Chinese medicinal materials need to be boiled twice?

Decoction of Chinese medicinal materials twice allows them to exert their medicinal properties as quickly as possible. If it is decocted only once, half of the ingredients of the medicine may not be mixed, but if it is decocted 2 to 3 times, 80 to 90 percent of the ingredients of the medicine can be sufficient for use.

The specific method of decocting Chinese medicine is: for the first decoction, put the prepared Chinese medicinal materials into the stone pot, add water (different medicines have different temperature requirements, but generally not more than 50~60℃), soak for 20~30 minutes, then add water and heat to boil. Before the Chinese medicinal materials boil, use strong heat; after boiling, use weak heat and keep it on low heat for 20 to 60 minutes, then filter out the medicine. Then carry out the second decoction, add water to the pot and boil for 20-40 minutes, and filter the medicine. If you don't have time, you can mix the two doses together and take them. If there is a standard, it is best to combine the two leachates and boil them together, extract them to the specified amount (the actual amount used should be based on the doctor's advice. If you want to take it in two doses, each time about 150~200ml, then boil it to 300~400ml), and take it in divided doses.

Generally speaking, the amount of tap water used when decocting Chinese medicine should be determined according to the type of medicine. For conditioning and nourishing health-preserving medicines, add 700-1000ml of water for the first decoction and 400-500ml for the second decoction; for tonic Chinese medicines, add 400-600ml of water for the first decoction and 250-300ml for the second decoction; for other medicines, add 500-700ml of water for the first decoction and 300-350ml for the second decoction. The actual water addition flow rate should also be determined based on the type and amount of medicine used in the prescription.

In addition, the decoction of Chinese medicinal materials is divided into different processes such as decocting first, adding later, and decocting in a wrapped form. It is recommended to consult a specialist or doctor.

Traditional Chinese medicine suggests that if you want to maximize the effectiveness of Chinese medicinal materials, you should decoct them at least twice.