Chinese herbal decoctions are the main form of treatment for pediatric diseases, but many parents are puzzled when it comes to decocting Chinese herbs and don't know what to do. Improper decoction methods can significantly affect the therapeutic effect, so it is important to master the correct decoction method for pediatric Chinese herbal medicine.
【Decoction Method for Pediatric Chinese Herbal Medicine】
1. Decocting pediatric herbal decoctions.
Before decoction, the Chinese herbs should be washed with clean water to remove dirt and impurities, and then soaked in clean water for half an hour to one hour to allow the herbs to fully soak. However, in hot summer, the herbs can only be soaked for half an hour.
Start boiling the herbs with strong heat and then simmer with low heat after boiling. If the herbs are used to treat colds, they should be simmered for another 10 to 15 minutes; if they are used for tonifying, they should be simmered for another 30 to 40 minutes.
For other types of Chinese herbs, such as tonifying the spleen, resolving dampness, regulating qi, promoting blood circulation, relieving cough, and eliminating phlegm, the decoction time can be between 20 to 30 minutes.
Since the amount of medicine taken by children is less than that of adults, usually only one decoction is needed, unlike adults who need multiple decoctions. The amount of medicine decocted can be determined based on the age of the child:
2. Decoction for newborns
Only about 50 milliliters of decoction is needed per day for newborns; for infants, it is 60 to 100 milliliters; for toddlers and young children, it is 150 to 200 milliliters; and for school-aged children, it should be decocted to 250 milliliters.
The above are the general decoction amounts, but there can be some variations depending on the condition. For example, in the case of viral cold with persistent fever, using Chinese herbs that expel pathogenic factors and clear heat and detoxify is very effective, but the dosage should not be limited to the above amounts. It can be decocted in larger amounts and taken in 3 to 4 doses.
For children with weak spleen and stomach, if they need to take Chinese herbal decoctions after getting sick, the amount of decoction can be concentrated a little bit, reducing about 1/3 compared to the above amounts, to avoid nausea and vomiting.
【Dosage of Pediatric Decoction】
Due to the weak physique and smaller stomach capacity of children, the decoction should be precise but minimal. Only about 50 milliliters of decoction is needed per day for newborns; for infants, it is 60 to 100 milliliters; for toddlers and young children, it is 150 to 200 milliliters; and for school-aged children, it should be decocted to 250 milliliters.
For children above 3 years old, it can be decocted to 40 milliliters and taken in 4 doses; for children aged 3 to 7, it can be decocted to 45 milliliters and taken in 3 doses; for children aged 7 to 12, it can be decocted to 60 milliliters and taken in 3 doses; for children above 12 years old, it can be decocted to 90 milliliters and taken in 3 doses.
【Methods of Administering Pediatric Chinese Herbal Medicine】
1. After decocting the herbal decoction, parents should taste it first. It is easy to burn the child's throat, esophagus, and gastric mucosa if it is too hot, and it will cause discomfort in the stomach if it is too cold, which will also affect the efficacy of the medicine.
2. When children take the decoction, encourage them to take it themselves if possible, or use a small spoon to slowly feed the liquid along the side of the mouth. After taking the medicine, it is advisable to rest for a while, which is beneficial for the absorption of the medicine and to prevent vomiting due to excessive activity.
3. When administering the medicine, try to avoid adding sugar to the decoction to avoid affecting the efficacy. If there are bitter and cold herbs in the prescription, such as Coptis chinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis, a suitable amount of licorice can be added to reduce the bitterness. Feeding herbal decoctions to children is a major problem in pediatrics, but it is also the oldest, most traditional, and basic method of drug administration. While striving for reform in pediatric herbal medicine formulation, it is necessary to master the correct method of administration.
4. A suitable amount of flavoring agents, such as white sugar, honey, rock sugar, orange juice, can be added to the herbal decoction. If a child with weak spleen tends to have loose stools, honey should not be added and white sugar or rock sugar can be used instead. After adding, it should be boiled for a few minutes to kill bacteria and mites in the white sugar.
5. The medicine should be taken about 2 hours before or after a meal, and should not be taken too close to mealtime. Pills for tonifying and nourishing the body and ointments taken in winter should be taken on an empty stomach in the early morning or before going to bed. These medicines do not taste bitter or have a sweet taste, and there will be no nausea after taking them. Taking them on an empty stomach is conducive to the absorption of the medicine and enhances the tonic effect.
6. Deworming herbal medicine should be taken on an empty stomach to facilitate the expulsion of worms. Digestive herbal medicine should be taken after meals to facilitate digestion and improve appetite.
7. When administering herbal decoctions to children, patience and attentiveness are required. Do not try to force a few sips of water or sweet food. For children who refuse to take herbal decoctions, their heads can be fixed, and a small spoon can be used to deliver the medicine to the back or sides of the tongue, allowing them to naturally swallow. Do not tilt the head back or pour the medicine down the tongue to avoid choking.
The dosage of Chinese herbal medicine for children is different from that of adults, so it is not appropriate to simply use the adult dosage for children. The dosage must be reasonable based on factors such as age, individual differences, and the severity of the condition.
