Can I still drink herbal medicine if it becomes paste when boiled? There are many considerations when boiling herbal medicine. If the water and boiling time are not correct, it can easily result in the herbal medicine becoming paste. However, can herbal medicine that has become paste still be consumed? How should we control the amount of water and boiling time when boiling herbal medicine? Let's answer these questions below.
When boiling herbal medicine, it is often because the water is too little, the heat is too high, or the boiling time is forgotten, causing the medicinal liquid to dry up and even the medicine to become paste. Some people add more water during the second boiling, thinking that they can extract the remaining medicinal properties from the first boiling. This approach is incorrect. For herbal medicine that has not yet become paste, you can still consume it by adding a suitable amount of water and simmering for a while. However, the components of the paste have been destroyed, reducing its therapeutic effect.
Some herbal medicines, after becoming paste, have different effects. For example, Jing Jie is a medicine for releasing the surface. After becoming paste, it turns into Jing Jie charcoal, losing its ability to release the surface and instead gaining the ability to stop bleeding. Similarly, Pu Huang, which is used for promoting blood circulation, turns into Pu Huang charcoal after becoming paste, which stops bleeding instead.
How much water should be added when boiling herbal medicine?
Generally, when boiling herbal medicine, the medicine should be spread evenly on the bottom of the pot, and the water should cover the herbs by 2-3 centimeters, approximately the length of one and a half phalanges of the index finger. For herbs with a hard, sticky texture or that require prolonged boiling, slightly more water can be added. For herbs with a loose texture or components that easily evaporate, the water should just cover the herbs.
Before boiling the medicine, soak it in water for 20-30 minutes. This not only helps to remove chlorine from the water but also allows the moisture to slowly penetrate the herbs, making them loose and expanded. This makes it less likely for them to stick to the bottom and helps the active ingredients dissolve more easily.
How long should herbal medicine be boiled?
There is a saying in boiling herbal medicine that it should be boiled thoroughly. The term "thoroughly" here means just right. However, how long each dose of medicine should be boiled depends on the properties of the medicine. For example, tonifying and nourishing medicines are used to nourish the body. These medicines are usually made from the roots, rhizomes, fruits, and shells of plants and animals, such as Dang Shen, Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, Di Huang, Jin Ying Zi, Nu Zhen Zi, Gui Ban, Bie Jia, Lu Jiao, and Mu Li. They are characterized by being hard, thick, and greasy, containing a large amount of nutrients. The purpose of boiling these medicines is to extract the active ingredients, so they require a long boiling time to achieve this.
In addition, after adding water to the herbal medicine, do not immediately start boiling it. Soak the medicine for 20-30 minutes first to moisten and soften it, allowing the ingredients to be extracted as much as possible. The boiling time for herbal medicine is approximately 30-45 minutes after the initial boiling for the first dose, and around 20-30 minutes for the second boiling. This ensures that the medicine is fully boiled. When boiling the medicine, start with high heat until it boils, then switch to low heat to simmer, ensuring that the liquid boils but does not overflow. The boiling time should be determined based on the nature and effects of the medicine. Tonifying and nourishing medicines require a longer boiling time, while those for inducing sweating and clearing heat should be boiled for a shorter time. The lid of the pot should be covered during the boiling process. The amount of liquid for the first and second boils should generally not be less than 400-500 milliliters (about one small bowl).
In general, the first boiling usually takes 30 minutes, and the second boiling takes 20-25 minutes. For medicines that release the surface and clear heat, reduce each boiling time by 10 minutes. For tonifying and nourishing medicines, the first boiling should last 40-60 minutes and the second boiling should last 30-40 minutes. In special cases, please follow the doctor's instructions.
