What are the precautions for boiling Chinese medicine?

Traditional Chinese medicine is a treatment method preferred by many elderly friends, and it has no side effects. Chinese medicine is also relatively troublesome and requires a certain amount of time to boil. However, there are many pharmacies that can help us boil Chinese medicine, which also saves us a lot of time. However, there are still many friends who boil it at home. So what are the precautions for boiling Chinese medicine?

How to boil Chinese medicine

Generally, it is best to use a clay pot or ceramic pot to boil Chinese medicine, and avoid using metal utensils. Before boiling Chinese medicine, soak the herbs in cold water for 20-30 minutes to allow the medicine to fully penetrate and make it easier to dissolve the active ingredients when decocting the medicine. When decocting the medicine, use water to soak the medicine surface 1-3 cm. Generally, fry it over high heat until it boils, then turn to low heat and fry for about 20 minutes. The medicinal liquid that comes out after decocting is called "first decoction". After the pot has cooled down slightly, add water to cover the medicinal powder, boil it over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. This is the second decoction. The specific method of decocting the medicine can be carried out according to the doctor's instructions.

How to decoct Chinese medicine

1. Casserole, enamelware or stainless steel are the best containers for decocting medicine. Ironware is strictly prohibited.

2. Chinese medicine should be soaked in cold water for about 20 minutes before decocting. The amount of water used for decocting medicine is generally enough to soak the medicine surface 1-3 cm. For large doses of medicines or medicines that are loose and easily absorb water, the amount of water can be increased appropriately.

3. The decocting time should be determined according to the medicinal properties, generally 30 minutes. Antipyretic drugs, heat-clearing drugs, and aromatic drugs should not be decocted for a long time. They should be decocted for 15-20 minutes after boiling. The tonic medicine should be boiled over high heat first, then simmered over low heat for 40-60 minutes. Stir the medicine 2-3 times when decocting it. Each dose of Chinese medicine is generally decocted twice, and the second decocting time can be slightly shorter.

4. Dosage for decoction: 50-100 ml per dose for children. Adults: 150-200 ml per dose.

5. Decoction method of special medicines: 1. "Decoction first": Boil for 10-15 minutes, then add other medicines and decoct together. 2. "Add medicine later": When the general medicine is about to be decocted to the predetermined amount, add it and decoct for 5 minutes. 3. "Dissolved medicine": other medicines should be decocted to the intended dosage, then the medicine juice should be boiled over low heat, stirring constantly to dissolve. 4. “Take medicine with water”: mix the medicine with decocted medicine juice or boiled water and take it with water. 5. Other special medicines should be decocted according to the doctor's instructions.

The above is an introduction to the precautions when boiling Chinese medicine, so we must understand it clearly in advance when boiling Chinese medicine, so that the Chinese medicine can exert its greatest effect and fundamentally treat the disease. If you just boil it casually at ordinary times, it will not only fail to play a healing role, but may also cause more serious symptoms.