How long does it take to boil Chinese medicine?

Friends who take Chinese medicine to treat related diseases know that the most important thing about taking Chinese medicine is the decoction of medicinal materials. The most appropriate thing is to use an old clay pot for decoction. The decocting time of the medicinal materials is also very critical. Whether the decoction time is not enough or too long, it will destroy the efficacy of the Chinese medicine. Then, drinking such Chinese medicine will only make the disease unable to be cured. So let us understand together how long it is most appropriate to decoct the Chinese medicine.

Soaking before decoction: For the first decoction (first decoction), general medicines should be soaked for 30 minutes, and medicines mainly composed of seeds and fruits can be soaked for one hour; when decocting again (second decoction), no soaking is required. For the first decoction, add enough water to exceed the medicine by 2-5 cm. For the second decoction, add enough water to cover the medicine.

Number of decoctions: Generally decoct twice. One long frying cannot replace two separate fryings.

Decoction and cooking time: Generally, use high heat (strong heat) before boiling, and use low heat (gentle heat) after boiling to keep it in a slightly boiling state. For antipyretic and aromatic drugs, it is advisable to use high heat for rapid decocting to prevent the volatilization of the medicinal properties and reduction of the efficacy; for tonic medicines, it is better to use low heat for a long time to fully release the effective ingredients of the medicine.

Decoction time: For general medicines, the first decoction should be boiled and then simmered for 20-25 minutes, and the second decoction should be boiled and then simmered for 15-20 minutes; for antipyretic and aromatic medicines, the first decoction should be 10-15 minutes, and the second decoction should be 10 minutes; for tonic medicines, the first decoction should be 30-40 minutes, and the second decoction should be 25-30 minutes. The longer you boil the medicine, the better.

The question of how long it takes to boil Chinese medicine has been answered in the above article, and the relevant procedures for decocting Chinese medicine have also been introduced. After mastering the correct decoction method, you must also pay attention that Chinese medicine needs to be taken while hot and cannot be consumed overnight. In addition, it is best not to add any sugar when taking Chinese medicine to avoid destroying the medicinal properties.