What to do with the residue after boiling Chinese medicine

Normally when taking Chinese medicine, some residues will be left. Generally, we will throw these residues directly into the trash can. In fact, the residues still have certain functions and can be reused. They not only have the effect of treating diseases, but also have the effect of regulating the body. For example, use hot residues for fumigation, use residues for hot compresses, etc. You can also use the residues to soak your feet. Of course, when using the residues, you must understand some taboos.

The magical effect of medicinal residue

There are relatively more medicinal residues available in orthopedics, including medicines for treating rheumatic diseases, joint pain, neck, shoulder, waist and leg pain, bone spurs and heel pain, such as Stretch Marks Herb, Glehnia littoralis, mulberry twig, cassia twig, safflower, papaya, and Achyranthes bidentata. These medicines can be used externally to promote blood circulation, dispel wind, dispel cold and remove dampness. Take it orally and apply it externally under the guidance of a doctor, and the effect will be twice as good with half the effort.

Hot smoking of medicinal residue

Add water to the residue and boil for 3 to 5 minutes. After leaving it for a while, add appropriate amount of white wine and vinegar, and use the hot steam to fumigate the painful area. Hot compress with medicinal residue

Add two taels of white wine and two taels of vinegar to the decocted medicinal residue, mix well and wrap it with gauze. Liquor can invigorate blood circulation and unclog meridians, while vinegar has a transdermal effect and can promote drug absorption. First put a towel on the painful area, then use the residue wrapped in gauze to apply hot and wet compress to avoid burns.

Foot bath with medicinal residue

Boil the residue for another 3 to 5 minutes. You can add a small handful of pepper and mugwort leaves and boil them together. After the medicinal liquid cools down, add white wine, vinegar and salt. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the kidneys control the waist and legs. The salty taste of salt enters the kidneys, which can lead medicine into the kidneys. Adding salt to the residue of medicine for foot soaking will have a better effect. The above method should be used for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Be careful to avoid scalding the skin, especially the water temperature for foot soaking should be appropriate. The foot soaking time should be appropriate according to your own situation. Pregnant women and the elderly should not soak their feet for a long time.

Who is not suitable to use medicinal residues?

We need to remind everyone that there are certain contraindications to the external use of medicinal residues. For external use, it is suitable for symptoms of deficiency and cold (such as joints being afraid of wind and cold, cold hands and feet in winter, cold air on the back, loose stools, and clear and long urine). However, it is not recommended if there are symptoms of real heat (such as local redness, swelling, heat and pain, joint pain accompanied by fever, and redness of the skin); it should not be used by those with water accumulation in the joints; it should not be used on skin allergies or wounds.