Chongqing Liyang Pharmaceutical Development Co., Ltd.
The method of decocting traditional Chinese medicine
Release Time:
2025-06-04 00:00
Source:
Methods for Decocting Traditional Chinese Medicine
1. Soaking: First, pour the medicinal herbs into the decoction vessel and add cool water just enough to cover them completely. Allow the herbs to soak for about an hour, enabling them to fully absorb moisture and return to their fresh state. This process helps the active ingredients dissolve more quickly and efficiently.
2. First Decoction: After the herbs have been properly soaked, place the earthenware pot on a coal stove and begin simmering. Typically, traditional Chinese medicine requires two rounds of decocting. For the first decoction, start with high heat; once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and continue simmering slowly. Generally, this process takes about 20 to 25 minutes. During this time, stir the mixture every few minutes to prevent the herbs from settling at the bottom and burning against the pot.
3. Second Decoction: After the first decoction is completed, strain out the herbal liquid and then add fresh hot water just slightly above the surface of the herbs. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until finished.
Precautions for Decoction of Traditional Chinese Medicine
1. Choose the appropriate vessel for decocting herbs: Not just any container can be used to prepare traditional Chinese medicine. It is essential to select a suitable one. Typically, earthenware pots or clay jars are preferred because they not only heat slowly but also maintain warmth effectively. If these are unavailable, enamel or stainless steel cookware can be used as alternatives. However, iron, aluminum, or copper pots should be strictly avoided.
2. Mastering the proper heat control during decoction: Regardless of the type of Chinese medicinal herbs being prepared, it is essential to maintain the right heat level throughout the process. Typically, one should first bring the herbs to a vigorous boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to simmer gently. However, different herbal formulas require varying cooking times. For instance, formulas aimed at inducing sweating and relieving exterior syndromes are best simmered briefly, while tonifying formulas designed to treat deficiency patterns should be simmered for a longer duration.
3. Medicinal herbs with volatile properties should be simmered with the lid closed: Many people fail to cover the pot when decocting traditional Chinese medicine. However, if the herbs contain volatile components—such as those used for dispersing exterior pathogens or aromatic dampness-clearing formulas—their active ingredients will escape into the air along with the steam, significantly reducing their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, it is essential to keep the lid on when preparing these types of medicinal ingredients.
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The method of decocting traditional Chinese medicine
First, pour the medicinal herbs into the decoction vessel and add cool water until the herbs are fully submerged. Allow them to soak for about an hour, enabling the traditional Chinese medicine to absorb moisture thoroughly and return to a fresh state. This process ensures that the active ingredients can be released more quickly and efficiently.
What are the common types of liquid formulations?
This is a common type of liquid formulation, referring to a homogeneous system in which the drug is uniformly dispersed in the solvent in molecular or ionic form.
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