How long does it usually take to boil Chinese medicine?

Traditional Chinese medicine is the quintessence of our country. Generally, traditional Chinese medicine can treat many diseases. Many patients will have a question when choosing traditional Chinese medicine treatment. After picking up the traditional Chinese medicine, they need to boil the medicine. Many patients are not very familiar with the medicinal properties of traditional Chinese medicine and do not know how long it takes. If the time for boiling Chinese medicine is incorrect, it will affect the medicinal properties of the medicine. So how long does it usually take to boil Chinese medicine? The following is a brief introduction to this issue.

Decoction of 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 methods 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. How to take Chinese medicine: 1. Decoction one dose a day, decoct two juices for each dose, take one juice each in the morning and evening, usually after meals. 2. Pills are generally taken twice a day. It is best to dissolve the medicine before taking it to facilitate absorption and enhance the efficacy. Undecocted medicines must be properly stored to prevent them from getting damp and deteriorating.

In fact, the time required to boil Chinese medicine generally varies. Depending on the different medicinal properties and therapeutic purposes of different Chinese medicines, the time required to boil the medicine will vary. It is recommended that you consult a doctor before you go to the hospital and ask how long the medicine you need will generally take to take effect, so as to avoid the loss of medicinal properties during the decoction.