Tips for Brewing Chinese Herbal Medicine in Summer
In summer, there are a few things to keep in mind when brewing Chinese herbal medicine. Soaking the herbs should not exceed half an hour, and it is best to consume the herbs within half an hour. Let's take a look at the three important points for brewing Chinese herbal medicine in summer.
Tips for Brewing Chinese Herbal Medicine in Summer: Brewing Method and Precautions
The storage and brewing of Chinese herbs have different requirements in different seasons. Now that we are in summer, the brewing time for herbs should not exceed half an hour, and it is best not to store the herbs for more than a month. Let's take a look at the three important points for brewing Chinese herbal medicine in summer.
1. Soaking the Herbs for No More Than Half an Hour
Soaking the herbs before brewing helps to release their active ingredients, making the medicine more effective. However, different types of herbs require different soaking times. Flowers and plants such as safflower and houttuynia cordata only need to be soaked for 15-20 minutes. Rhizome herbs such as Zhebei Fritillary Bulb and Chinese Yam, which are rich in starch, require a slightly longer soaking time. However, a single dose of medicine usually contains multiple Chinese herbs, so a "compromise" principle should be adopted. Classify the herbs roughly and consider the characteristics of the majority of herbs. In addition, the soaking time for herbs also varies depending on the season. For example, in spring and autumn, the soaking time is generally 30-60 minutes, in winter, it should not exceed 60 minutes, and in hot summer, the soaking time should be controlled within 30 minutes.
2. Store the Medicine for a Maximum of One Month
In a damp and hot environment, the herbs are prone to moisture and insects. Small packages of herbs can be placed in a well-ventilated and cool place, while fresh plant herbs and animal herbs should be individually packaged and stored in the refrigerator. Codonopsis pilosula oil, commonly known as "snow frog oil" in Guangdong, may deteriorate at room temperature in summer and should be stored in the freezer. Ginseng and other herbs can be wrapped in parchment paper and stored in a rice jar. In general, herbs should not be stored for more than a month in summer.
3. "Heat Through" the Refrigerated Medicine
When heating the medicine, the liquid should be placed in a steamer or electric rice cooker for steaming, rather than using a microwave. After taking the bagged Chinese medicine out of the refrigerator, it can be soaked in about 500ml of hot water in a slightly larger container for 5 minutes, then change the water to ensure that the medicine is "thoroughly heated".
When brewing Chinese herbal medicine in summer, pay attention to the three points mentioned above and ensure proper soaking time and correct storage of the herbs.
