The medicinal soup brewed from Chinese herbs is generally bitter, but as the saying goes, "Good medicine tastes bitter but is beneficial for the illness." Although medicine may be bitter, it is beneficial for the treatment and recovery of diseases. So why not endure some bitterness to heal faster?
Brewing Chinese herbal medicine has a history of over two thousand years. This seemingly simple process is actually a technical skill. To maximize the medicinal effects of the soup, it is important to understand the knowledge and precautions of brewing Chinese herbal medicine. Let's take a look at the relevant knowledge and precautions of brewing Chinese herbal medicine.
[Preparation before Brewing Medicine]
1. Soak the herbs for 20-30 minutes
Soak the herbs for a period of time to allow them to absorb water better. This will result in a more effective medicinal soup. It is recommended to use cold water for soaking the herbs, as high water temperature can cause starch gelatinization and protein coagulation in the herbs, preventing the effective components from dissolving during brewing. Additionally, do not rinse the herbs with water, as many people believe that washing the herbs is necessary. In fact, washing the herbs with water can cause loss of effective components and reduce the medicinal efficacy, especially for powdered herbs.
2. Choose the right cooking utensils
Choosing the right cooking utensils is important for brewing Chinese herbal medicine. Good utensils can help the effective components of the herbs dissolve better. It is recommended to use clay pots, enamelware, ceramic pots, or glass utensils, and avoid using aluminum, copper, or iron utensils.
3. Wrap the herbs in pure cotton cloth
If you need to make the herbs into a medicinal bag, it is best to wrap them in pure cotton gauze. This makes it easier for the herbs to dissolve in water.
4. Use cold boiled water for brewing
It is best not to use tap water for brewing Chinese herbal medicine, as tap water contains chlorine, which can destroy the effective components of the herbs. After tap water is boiled, the chlorine will evaporate, reducing the probability of loss of effective components in the herbs.
[Precautions for Brewing Medicine]
1. Water quantity
When brewing Chinese herbal medicine, the water level should be 3-5 cm above the herbs. The water quantity may vary for different medicinal soups, so it is important to follow the instructions of the physician and not add water arbitrarily.
2. Brewing time
Some people believe that the longer the brewing time of Chinese herbal medicine, the stronger and better the medicinal soup will be. However, this is a misconception. The medicinal components of Chinese herbs reach their highest level after a certain period of time. Continuously boiling the herbs will cause the effective components to evaporate and reduce their efficacy. Overly concentrated medicinal soup can also cause adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting. Therefore, the brewing time should not be too long.
3. Use high heat first, then low heat
Here, high heat and low heat refer to the intensity of the fire. Before the Chinese herbal medicine boils, high heat should be used, and after it boils, low heat should be used. Using low heat can reduce water evaporation while maintaining a boiling state, facilitating the dissolution of the effective components.
4. Stir frequently while brewing
Brewing Chinese herbal medicine is not simply putting the herbs in a pot and heating it. During the brewing process, the herbs should be frequently observed and stirred to avoid overcooking or drying them.
