Traditional Chinese Medicine is more particular about internal use
The method of use has a significant impact on the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. In daily life, it is common to see terms like "dissolve in hot water," "mix with water," and "mix and take" in the instructions of traditional Chinese medicine. This shows that the method of taking Chinese medicine is important. The peak of winter is the coldest time of the year, and many people with weak constitution need tonic. Here are several common methods of internal use during the peak of winter.
Dissolve in water
When taking decoctions, syrups, or ointments, it is often necessary to dissolve them in hot water before taking. In addition, for certain aromatic or precious Chinese medicines such as musk and cow bezoar, dissolving in water is also commonly required.
Mix and take
This refers to mixing the medicine with warm water to form a paste before taking. This method is often used for patients who cannot swallow or for children when taking powders, pills, or tablets.
Hold in the mouth
This means holding the medicine in the mouth, allowing it to slowly dissolve before swallowing. Chinese patent medicines such as Liushenwan, Caoshanhu tablets, and Jinsangzi throat lozenges, which are used to treat acute and chronic pharyngitis and tonsillitis, often require this method.
Swallow with water
Most internal Chinese medicines need to be taken with warm water, commonly known as swallowing. Swallowing is the most commonly used method of internal use. Most internal Chinese medicines, such as tablets, pills, and capsules, are taken in this way. Among them, pills can be classified as honey pills (large honey pills, small honey pills, and water honey pills), drop pills, water pills, and concentrated pills. When taking small granular pills, warm water is sufficient. For large honey pills that cannot be swallowed whole, they should be crushed or broken into smaller pieces before taking with warm water. In addition, some Chinese medicines can be taken with medicinal decoctions to enhance their effectiveness. For example, when taking Huoxiang Zhengqi pills or Fuzi Lizhong pills to treat stomach pain, vomiting, and other symptoms, ginger decoction can be used to enhance the effect of the medication.
Dissolve in warm liquid
This refers to dissolving the medicine in warm water or yellow wine before taking. Medicines with high viscosity and easy solubility, such as gelatin and deer antler gel, often require this method.
In addition to the above-mentioned methods of internal use for Chinese patent medicines, it is also common to see terms like "first decoction" and "add later" on traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. "First decoction" refers to the pre-treatment of hard-shell medicines and mineral medicines, such as tortoise shell, soft-shelled turtle shell, stone calamus, raw oyster, and raw dragon bone. Due to their hard texture, it is difficult to extract the active ingredients by decoction alone, so they need to be crushed and pre-decocted. After boiling for about 10-20 minutes, other medicines can be added.
The so-called similarity between Chinese medicine and food means that Chinese medicine, like food, comes from animals and plants in nature. Many Chinese medicines and foods cannot be clearly distinguished from each other; they serve dual purposes. Examples of food with medicinal properties include malt, wheat germ, Huai wheat, floating wheat, vegetables such as shepherd's purse, radish, mustard greens, Chinese yam, bai tai, lotus root, cassia seed, winter melon, pumpkin, red beans, black soybeans, sword beans, and cowpeas, as well as fruits such as hawthorn, Wu Mei, longan, citrus fruits, pomelos, lotus seeds, almonds, and figs. Seasonings such as sandalwood, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, Sichuan pepper, peppercorn, star anise, fennel, and fructus amomi are also used as medicinal ingredients. Animal-based ingredients are even more diverse, including snakes, domestic animals, seafood, and wild animals. The similarity between medicine and food gives Chinese medicine a strong vitality, and it strengthens its practicality and experience. Chinese medicine is an integral part of human life, as it exists in our daily lives.
