Time for decoction of tonic medicine

You can buy Chinese medicine at a pharmacy and boil it at home. Whether the decoction method is correct will directly affect the efficacy of the medicine. Many medicines have different medicinal properties, and the decoction time will also be different. For example, when cooking tonic medicines, you must avoid burning the pot. The decoction time and details of various Chinese medicines will be different. If you need to decoct them yourself, you must understand the details.

Basic methods of decoction of Chinese medicine

When decocting medicine, you should choose casserole pots, enamelware or stainless steel utensils, and avoid contact with iron, aluminum and harmful plastic products to prevent chemical reactions that affect efficacy or cause side effects.

When soaking the medicine, add water until the water level is 2 to 3 cm higher than the medicine pieces. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes or 1 hour to allow the water to fully penetrate the medicine and facilitate the decoction of the effective ingredients.

The heat for decocting medicine is usually high at first, then low heat is used after boiling to maintain a slight boil. Each dose of medicine is decocted twice. After the first decoction is boiled, it is simmered for 20 to 30 minutes on low heat, and 150 to 250 ml of the decoction is filtered while it is hot. After the second decoction is boiled with water, it is simmered for 15 to 20 minutes on low heat, and 150 to 250 ml of the decoction is filtered while it is hot. The residue is squeezed out, and the two decoctions are combined and mixed before taking in two doses.

So, what is the specific time for decocting Chinese medicine?

Decoction time of various Chinese medicines

Donkey-hide gelatin:

Donkey-hide gelatin, tortoise shell glue, etc. are mostly high-molecular substances. If they are decocted together with other medicines, they are easy to stick to the pan and become mushy. Therefore, it is best to melt these medicines first and then dissolve them in the decocted medicine soup before taking.

Aromatic:

The active ingredients of aromatic drugs such as musk, borneol, camphor, styrax, and benzoin are extremely volatile at room temperature. Once they are decocted, their efficacy will be greatly reduced, so they should not be decocted for a long time.

Digestion:

The main active ingredients of digestive medicines such as barley sprouts, malt, and chicken gizzard lining are active substances such as amylase, invertase, and protease. These substances are not resistant to high temperatures, and long-term decoction will greatly reduce their activity and affect their efficacy. Therefore, it is best to use these medicines raw, or stir-fry them slightly and then grind them into powder for oral administration.

Insect repellent:

Leiwan is an anthelmintic. Its main anthelmintic ingredient is thiaminol. When heated to 70℃, thiaminol will lose its activity. Therefore, Leiwan must be taken with water when used for anthelmintic.

Nourishing food:

Tonic Chinese medicines such as Panax notoginseng, deer antler, placenta, gecko, and Cordyceps sinensis all contain effective ingredients such as saponins, proteins, fats, and hormones. Due to the complex chemical structure of saponins and the instability of proteins, the efficacy of the medicine is often affected by complex chemical changes during decoction. In order to preserve its active ingredients, it should be taken with water.