In our daily life, we often use traditional Chinese medicine because it has fewer side effects and can effectively regulate our body. However, some people have a question: "Do we need to wash the Chinese herbs with water before decocting them?" Let's answer this question in detail below.
I. Should we wash the herbs with water?
Some people always wash the Chinese herbs with water before decocting them, thinking that it can ensure hygiene. However, this is incorrect. The Chinese herbs have gone through a series of processes, including impurity removal and drying, before being made into decoction pieces. The hygiene standards have been met, so there is no need to wash them with water again.
1. Washing with water can cause loss of water-soluble components
Many herbs contain sugars and glycosides, which can dissolve in water. Washing them with water will cause a loss of some active ingredients, resulting in a decrease in medicinal efficacy.
2. Washing with water can cause loss of auxiliary ingredients
Some herbs are prepared with additives such as honey, wine, and bile during the processing. These additives are easily soluble in water. If washed with water, some of the additives will be lost. Examples of commonly used herbs with these additives include Gynostemma and wine-processed Rhubarb.
3. Washing with water can cause loss of powdered herbs
There are many powdered herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, and some need to be ground into powder before use, such as Peach Kernel, Dragon Bone, and Talcum. Washing them with water will cause the loss of these medicines.
It is worth mentioning that the herbs should be soaked in water before decocting. Generally, they should be soaked in cold water for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the water to penetrate the herbs and dissolve some of the active ingredients in the water, so that they can be fully decocted. The amount of water added should generally be enough to cover the herbs and exceed about 1 centimeter.
II. Sand pot is the preferred decoction utensil
The quality of Chinese herbal decoctions is closely related to the choice of decoction utensils. The preferred utensil is still a sand pot because the material of the sand pot is stable and does not react with the medicinal ingredients. It also has even and gentle heat conduction, which is one of the reasons why it has been used since ancient times.
In addition, ceramic pots, stainless steel pots, and glass decoction utensils can also be used. However, it is important to avoid using iron pots or copper pots because their chemical properties are not stable and they are prone to oxidation. When decocting the herbs, they can react with the chemical components contained in the herbs, which will affect the quality of the decoction and directly affect the therapeutic effect of the Chinese herbal decoction. There are special pots available in the market for decocting herbs, and patients can purchase them as needed.
III. Precautions during the decoction process
1. Water for decoction:
Generally, do not use contaminated tap water. Avoid using water that has been repeatedly boiled or overnight boiled for decocting Chinese herbs. In most cases, the doctor will instruct patients to use boiled water or cold water for decoction.
2. Amount of water for decoction:
According to the traditional method, the herbs are placed in the pot, and the amount of water added for the first decoction should exceed the surface of the herbs by 3-5 centimeters. The amount of water added for the second decoction should exceed the surface of the herbs by 3 centimeters. This method is simple, easy to perform, and easy to control. Whether the herbs need to be soaked before decoction should be followed according to the doctor's instructions.
Decoction heat: Generally, follow the principle of "high heat before low heat," which means using high heat before boiling to make the water boil quickly, and then using low heat to maintain a gentle boil to reduce water evaporation.
3. Decoction time:
It mainly depends on the nature of the herbs and the disease, as well as the specific situation of the herbs. Generally, the first decoction is calculated from the beginning of boiling and takes about 20-30 minutes, while the second decoction takes about 15-20 minutes. The specific decoction time should be followed according to the doctor's instructions.
4. Number of decoctions:
Multiple decoctions are better than a long-time decoction. Generally, 2-3 decoctions can extract 80%-90% of the active ingredients in the herbs. After each decoction, the decoction is promptly filtered out and the decoction from each time is mixed and taken in multiple doses. Generally, one dose of Chinese herbal medicine is taken for two days, and in some cases, it can only be taken for one day. The specific frequency of medication should be followed according to the doctor's instructions.
