Tangji is the oldest and most commonly used type of traditional Chinese medicine. Whether using single herbs or a combination of multiple herbs, it is necessary to decoct them in water, alcohol, or other medicinal liquids to make a tangji before consumption. Some people tend to wash the herbal pieces with water before decocting, thinking that it ensures hygiene. However, this is incorrect.
Before being processed into herbal pieces, the Chinese medicinal materials have already undergone a series of preparations, including removing impurities and drying, which meet hygiene standards. There is no need to wash them with water again. Many medicinal materials contain water-soluble sugars and glycosides. Washing them with water will cause these active ingredients to partially dissolve and be lost, leading to a decrease in the medicinal effects and affecting the treatment. In some traditional Chinese medicine formulas, many medicinal materials are in powder form, and some need to be crushed during preparation. If they are washed with water first, it will inevitably result in the loss of these medicinal materials, affecting the therapeutic effects. In addition, some medicinal materials have added ingredients such as honey, vinegar, alcohol, or bile during processing, and these auxiliary materials are easily soluble in water. Washing with water will cause some of these ingredients to be lost.
Before decocting, Chinese herbs should not be washed, but soaked in water to allow the water to penetrate the herbs, enabling the active ingredients to dissolve partially in the water. Most Chinese medicinal materials are derived from plants, and many contain proteins and starch. If these herbal materials are not soaked in water and immediately decocted, the proteins will coagulate and the starch will gelatinize when heated, hindering the extraction of the active ingredients. Therefore, before decocting Chinese herbs, it is generally recommended to soak them in cold water for 30 minutes to 1 hour, with enough water to cover the herbs and exceed by about 1 centimeter.
Furthermore, metal containers such as copper, iron, and aluminum should not be used for decocting Chinese herbs to avoid affecting their medicinal effects. Do not consume spoiled or burnt herbs to avoid poisoning. Additionally, pay attention to the timing and method of taking the medicine and follow the doctor's instructions.
