It is often said that Western medicine treats symptoms, while traditional Chinese medicine treats the root cause. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments have the advantages of minimal side effects and the ability to regulate the body internally. Among the various treatment methods in TCM, the use of Chinese herbal medicine is frequently employed. However, the methods of taking Chinese herbal medicine can vary depending on the formulation and treatment purpose. Therefore, it is important to understand the different methods of taking Chinese herbal medicine. Let's take a look at the characteristics of three common methods of taking Chinese herbal medicine.
1. Oral administration of patent Chinese medicine
Swallowing: Most oral patent Chinese medicines are taken with warm water, commonly known as swallowing. This is the most common method of oral administration. Most patent Chinese medicines, such as pills, granules, and capsules, are taken in this way. In addition, for certain Chinese herbal medicines, such as Da Huo Luo Wan, which is used to treat stroke-induced hemiplegia and facial paralysis, wine can be used to enhance the blood circulation and dredge the meridians.
Dissolving: When taking decoctions, syrups, or ointments, they are often dissolved in water. In addition, for certain aromatic or precious Chinese herbal medicines, such as musk and bezoar, they are also often dissolved in water.
Mixing: This refers to dissolving the medicine in warm water until it forms a paste. This method is commonly used for patients who cannot swallow or for children when taking powdered, granular, or pill forms of Chinese herbal medicines.
Dissolving in the mouth: Some patent Chinese medicines, such as Liushen Pill, Cao Shanhu Dispersible Tablets, and Jinsangzi Throat Lozenges, which are used to treat acute and chronic pharyngitis and tonsillitis, often require dissolving in the mouth. The medicine is placed in the mouth and slowly dissolved before swallowing.
Dissolving with heat: Gelatinous and highly soluble medicines, such as donkey-hide gelatin and deer antler gelatin, need to be dissolved with boiling water or warm wine before taking.
2. Decoctions
In addition to the aforementioned methods of oral administration, when visiting a TCM practitioner, you may often see terms like "first decoction," "add at the end," "pack and decoct," "separately decoct," etc. on the prescription. What do these terms mean?
First decoction: This is applicable to hard-shell or mineral medicine, as their effective components are difficult to extract. They should be crushed and decocted for about 10-20 minutes before adding other medicines. Common examples include turtle shell, soft-shelled turtle shell, stone calamus, raw oyster shell, and raw dragon bone.
Add at the end: For aromatic medicines like peppermint, cardamom, and Amomum villosum, their volatile oils are used for their therapeutic effects. They should be added when the other medicines are almost done decocting and boiled for 4-5 minutes to prevent the evaporation of their effective components.
Pack and decoct: To prevent the decoction from becoming turbid and reduce adverse irritation to the digestive tract and throat, when decocting Cinnabaris, talc, or Xuanfu flower, the medicine is wrapped in gauze and then decocted.
Separate decoction: For certain precious medicines, in order to preserve their effective components as much as possible and reduce absorption by other medicines during decoction, they can be separately decocted. For example, ginseng should be cut into small pieces, put in a covered cup, and stewed in a water bath for 2-3 hours.
3. External use of medicine
Generally, external Chinese herbal medicines are not meant to be taken orally without pharmacological and clinical experimentation approval. Most external Chinese herbal medicines contain certain toxic and irritating substances and are only intended for local use, either for protection or transdermal absorption, to exert their local therapeutic effects. The commonly used methods include:
Topical application: This method is suitable for ointments, lotions, and solutions. The affected area should be cleaned before applying a thin layer of the medicine. For example, Honghua Oil, which is used to treat bruises and sprains, is best applied in this way.
Sprinkling on the affected area: This method is suitable for powdered medicines. The medicine powder is sprinkled evenly on the affected area and fixed with a gauze dressing. This method is suitable for the use of Qi Fu Sheng Ji San and Zhu Ma Dian Pearl Powder.
Applying with a dressing: This method is suitable for powdered medicines and other external formulations. The medicine is mixed with an appropriate liquid (such as tea, white wine, vinegar, or edible vegetable oil) to form a paste, which is then applied to the affected area and covered with a gauze dressing. For example, Baiji San, used to treat bruises and sprains, can be mixed with white wine to enhance the effects of promoting blood circulation and reducing swelling. Edible vegetable oil can also be used for the treatment of burns with Chinese herbal medicine.
Blowing on the affected area: When using Bing Peng San to treat toothache and swollen gums, it is common to blow on the affected area. This is done by rolling a piece of paper or using a small plastic tube with a diameter of about 2-3 millimeters, cutting one end diagonally, picking up a small amount of the medicine powder, and blowing it into the ear, throat, or tooth socket.
Applying directly to the affected area: When using plasters, they are often directly applied to the affected area. For example, Shujin Zhi Tong Gao can be directly applied to the affected area. However, for black plasters, they need to be heated until soft, allowed to cool slightly, and then applied to the affected area to prevent burning the skin.
