Nowadays, more and more patients choose to have their traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decocted in the hospital and take it home. The decocted TCM is usually packaged in vacuum bags, allowing patients to decoct several days' worth of medicine at once. This not only provides convenience for those who do not have time or conditions to decoct medicine, but also avoids the use of inappropriate decoction methods that may affect the efficacy of the medicine. However, there are some misconceptions regarding the storage and consumption of decocted TCM that need attention.
It is recommended to boil and cool before consumption. Many patients have poor spleen and stomach function, and are sensitive to temperature changes. Decocted TCM is usually stored in the refrigerator for cold preservation. If the decocted TCM is consumed by warming it in hot water, it is easy for the TCM to be inadequately heated or heated unevenly, which may have adverse effects on the patient's spleen and stomach. In addition, the medicine bag should not be boiled in boiling water or heated directly in a microwave before consumption to avoid any danger. Therefore, when consuming decocted TCM, it is important to take the time to boil it before consumption to ensure the best therapeutic effect.
Store in the refrigerator. The TCM liquid should be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of 0-5°C, and should not be placed in the freezer, as this can cause the precipitation of active ingredients in the liquid and may cause the medicine bag to burst when the liquid freezes. It is best to consume decocted TCM within 10 days. If the medicine bag swells or the liquid changes in taste, it may indicate that the liquid has deteriorated and should not be consumed anymore. If the TCM liquid has been opened or self-decocted at home, it is generally not recommended to consume it overnight. If stored in the refrigerator, it should not be kept for more than two days to avoid deterioration and impact on the therapeutic effect.
