Many people have the misconception that Chinese herbal medicine must be decocted before consumption. However, this idea is incorrect. Not all Chinese herbal medicines are suitable for decoction. Some herbal medicines may have a reverse effect or damage their efficacy if decocted. Let's take a look at several types of herbal medicines that are not suitable for decoction.
1. Digestive Medicines
Such as malt sprout, barley sprout, and chicken gizzard, the main active ingredients are the enzymes contained in them, such as amylase, invertase, and protease. These substances are not heat-resistant, and their activity will decrease if decocted, affecting their therapeutic effect. For example, the potency of malt sprout decoction is only 5% of its dry powder, and the digestive starch efficacy of barley sprout decoction is approximately one-third of its dry powder. The gastric hormones in chicken gizzard can promote gastric gland secretion but are easily destroyed by high heat. Therefore, it is best to use raw or lightly stir-fried herbs to make powder and take them orally.
2. Precious Medicines
Such as ginseng, antler, purple river cart, haliotis, and cordyceps, the main active ingredients are saponins, proteins, fats, and hormones. Due to the complex chemical structure of saponins and the instability of proteins, complex chemical changes will occur during decoction, affecting their therapeutic effects. To preserve the active ingredients without wasting the medicine, they should be ground into powder and taken orally.
3. Aromatic Medicines
Such as musk, borneol, camphor, patchouli, and benzoin, all contain volatile active ingredients that easily evaporate at room temperature. They cannot be decocted, otherwise their efficacy will be almost completely lost. Therefore, they are not suitable for decoction and are better used as pills, powders, or for external use.
4. Gum Medicines
Such as donkey-hide gelatin and tortoise plastron gel, most of these medicines are high molecular substances that become viscous when dissolved in water. If decocted together with other medicines, they are prone to sticking and scorching the pot. Therefore, other medicines should be decocted first to remove impurities and collect the decoction. Then, the above-mentioned medicines should be added and stirred while hot until completely melted before consumption.
5. Anthelmintic Medicines
Such as leipian, the main active ingredient for expelling parasites loses its activity when heated to 70℃. Therefore, leipian must be ground into powder and taken orally for effective expulsion of parasites.
