The correct way to decoct herbs

Cantonese people believe in Chinese medicine, which can be seen from the Cantonese people like to cook herbal soup all year round. It is estimated that every "old Guangdong" home, there is a decoction of Chinese medicine pot. However, this does not mean that everyone knows how to decoct Chinese medicine. So what is the correct way to decoct Chinese herbs?

The correct way to decoct Chinese medicine

Soak herbs in water for half an hour before decocting

Soak the herbs in water for 20-30 minutes before decocting. This is because most Chinese herbs are roots and fruits of sun-dried plants. In order to decoct the active ingredients of the medicine, the dried herbs must first absorb enough water so that the active ingredients can be released through the medium of water.

Decoction of drugs should be turned over

Usually, herbalists also explain to their patients that the drugs should be decocted and drunk once in the morning and once in the evening. However, although many people know that Chinese medicine should be decocted more than once by turning the slag, they often do not operate correctly. Decoction of Chinese medicine is not decoction once, drink a bowl, turn the decoction once, and drink a second bowl. The correct way to decoct herbs should be to decoct once, then immediately turn the decoction a second time, then mix the first and second decoction together, then divide it into two bowls and drink once in the morning and once in the evening.

Benefits of turning the decoction of herbs

It is because the active ingredients of some drugs are not fully released when decocted once, turning the slag and decocting again can make most of the herbs get fully decocted to ensure the release of full active ingredients; secondly, it is because the density of taking medicine two to three times a day can ensure a relatively high blood concentration of the drug in the body to achieve better therapeutic effects.

Why mix the medication decocted twice

This ensures that the medicine solution you drink each time is of the same composition. In particular, some herbal medicines for colds may contain post-under (drugs that are decocted 10 minutes before they are ready) drugs, which usually contain volatile components and cannot be decocted for a long time. This will result in the first decoction of the Chinese medicine, the composition of which is significantly different from the second decoction. If the two decoctions are not mixed before drinking, the medicine (active ingredients and their concentration) that the patient drinks twice a day, morning and evening, will not be the same, so that a good therapeutic effect can not be achieved?

What kind of pot is used for decocting Chinese medicine?

The apparatus for decocting Chinese medicine is preferable to sand or porcelain jars, and metal apparatus such as iron and copper should never be used because most herbs will undergo chemical changes when they come into contact with metal, which will affect the therapeutic effect of the medicine.

Do you need a lid to decoct Chinese medicine?

Decoction of Chinese medicine should be simmered with a lid to prevent the volatile components of the medicine from escaping. Some studies have shown that most plant-based herbal medicines, such as Magnoliaceae, Rutaceae and Asteraceae, contain volatile oils. The volatile oil has the functions of wind repellent, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic in medicine.

How much water to put in Chinese medicine decoction

The amount of water to be put in the decoction of Chinese medicine depends on the amount of medicine used. Generally, the surface of the water can exceed the medicine by a little, so that the amount of medicine decocted per dose is about 150 ml, and the amount of medicine decocted for children should be less, while for febrile patients, the amount of medicine decocted should be more.

How long does it take to decoct Chinese medicine?

The time required for decocting Chinese medicine varies according to the nature of the medicine, for example, the decoction should not be long, usually 15 minutes after boiling; for tonic medicine with thick taste and nourishment, the decoction time should be long, after boiling, the decoction should be simmered for about 1 hour, so that the active ingredients in the medicine can be better dissolved in water. In addition, some of the more toxic drugs can be reduced or eliminated after a long decoction over a slow fire, such as sago, raw peppermint, etc. The decoction time should also be slightly longer. After the medicine is boiled, the juice should be strained out while it is still hot, and each dose of medicine is usually decocted only twice.