In the process of decocting Chinese medicine, are there any other precautions to be aware of? Experts say, "There are indeed some details that can affect the efficacy of Chinese medicine during the decoction process, so it is important to pay attention to them in daily life."
Use distilled water
The quality of water can also affect the efficacy of Chinese medicine. Throughout history, famous doctors have strict requirements for the water used in decocting medicine. For example, Li Shizhen classified the water used for decoction into 5 types: rainwater, dew, snow water, etc. These waters are all naturally distilled water, with lower hardness than ordinary spring water, river water, and well water, and purer, which can minimize the impact on the effective ingredients of the medicine.
Although we cannot pursue water quality like ancient people, if conditions allow, we can use distilled water or purified water. Boiled water is also acceptable. Tap water can be heated to remove chlorine, but it should not be used to decoct medicine directly. It should be cooled down first.
Many households use large barrels of mineral water, but it is not a good choice for decocting medicine. This is because mineral water contains some minerals and metal ions, such as calcium, which also have a certain impact on the efficacy of Chinese medicine.
Avoid using iron pots
The best containers for decoction are sand pots and ceramic pots; glass containers and enamel containers (in good condition) are second; iron pots, copper pots, aluminum pots, and tin pots should not be used for decoction. It is pointed out that "this is because the chemical composition of Chinese medicine is very complex, and the active chemical components in Chinese medicine can react with copper, iron, aluminum, and other metals." For example, iron can react with tannins to form ferric tannate, which darkens the color of the medicinal liquid and gives it a rusty taste, affecting the efficacy of the medicine; aluminum reacts with organic acids to form compounds that are absorbed by the body and accumulate in organs such as the liver and kidneys, causing harm to the body; copper utensils are easily oxidized when heated, forming harmful copper green. All of these can affect the quality of the decoction and directly impact the clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine.
In addition, some people use sand pots used for cooking at home to decoct medicine. In this case, it is important to clean it thoroughly so that there are no oil residues on the surface after rinsing with water. Oils can also affect the efficacy of Chinese medicine.
Avoid touching the medicine with your hands
This is the detail that many people easily overlook. Most of the purchased Chinese medicine is wrapped in paper or small plastic bags. When putting the medicine into the decoction container, many people's hands may touch the medicine without realizing that this action can sometimes affect the efficacy of the Chinese medicine. If the hands have been applied with hand cream or have a fragrance from soap, it can further contaminate the medicine. Therefore, it is best not to touch the medicine with your hands and directly pour it into the container.
