Decoction of Chinese herbal medicine Aconite

Various kinds of Chinese medicine are easily overlooked because they are too common in life. The real existence of Chinese medicine is that in the end, the appropriate method of taking it is not chosen, which eventually leads to some complications. In fact, the Chinese medicine aconite has high nutritional value and efficacy. Although it contains certain toxins, the effect is very ideal. As long as you use the right method, you will know its effect.

Dosage and Usage of Aconite

The dosage of aconite is generally 1 piece, 2 pieces for medium dosage, and 3 pieces at most. Calculated based on 20-30g of one piece of aconite, the maximum dosage can reach about 90g. If Zhang Zhongjing used it himself, he usually used raw aconite, and the dosage would be even greater, because the function of raw aconite should be 2-3 times that of processed aconite.

Small doses of aconite (less than 15g) do not need to be decocted for a long time before use, and can be decocted together with other medicines. After clinical application, no poisoning phenomenon has been found and the therapeutic effect is good.

Notes on decoction of aconite

There is a trick to mastering the heat: take a piece of decocted aconite, take a bite and chew it slowly. If you don’t feel numbness in your mouth, it means that the heat is right and you can add other medicines. If you still feel numbness in your mouth, you need to continue decocting.

It usually takes a long time to decoct traditional Chinese medicine containing aconite. Some people add cold water in the middle of the decoction when they find that the water is dry. This may increase the toxicity of aconite and is a taboo.

The amount of water should be fully calculated before decocting the medicine. Add enough at one time. If you find that the water is almost dry, turn off the heat first, wait for the medicine to cool down, then add an appropriate amount of cold water, and then start boiling again. Timing: Even if you add water in the middle, be sure to add boiling water.

Aconite slices are horny and hard, making them difficult to decoct thoroughly. Decoction in boiling water can increase the degree of water penetration into the slices and accelerate the dissolution of aconitine. Aconitine dissolves fastest when the slices are decocted after they are fully penetrated. This proves that the traditional method of decocting aconite with hot water first has a scientific basis. However, considering the current irregularities in the medicinal materials market and the fact that aconite is generally not fully penetrated until 40 minutes later, it is best to add hot water and decoct aconite for more than 40 minutes, or directly decoct for more than 50 minutes. Because the actual decoction time in clinical practice is mostly 30 to 60 minutes, it is suggested that when aconite is put into a decoction, if the decoction time is long enough, it may not be necessary to decoct it first.