The method of stewing tonic is similar to the method of frying medicine, and there are some basic principles that must be mastered. These principles can be consulted with the pharmacist when buying medicine.
(1) Cleaning and soaking before stewing
In most cases, the Chinese medicine bought is relatively clean. However, it is still necessary to check whether there is any mold or foreign matter. It is best to rinse the medicine with clean water before boiling. Soaking the herbs for 1 hour before stewing can help release the medicinal properties.
(2) Appropriate amount of water for medicine
The amount of water for boiling Chinese medicine usually varies depending on the amount of the medicine. The TCM practitioner will tell you how many bowls of water to add when prescribing the medicine. There is a simple method you can try: if the Chinese medicine is mostly herbal, add water that is about 1 cm above the level of the medicine; if the Chinese medicine is mostly mineral, add relatively less water.
(3) Longer cooking time for tonic medicine
When boiling Chinese medicine, first bring the medicine to a boil with high heat, then simmer for 1 hour with low heat. When boiling the medicine, be careful not to let the boiling liquid overflow or use a special refluxing medicine pot. Also, be careful not to let the medicine dry out. Dried Chinese medicine cannot be consumed and must be discarded.
(4) Whether to add meat to tonic medicine depends on personal preference
If you want to make medicated diet, you can add meat to the tonic medicine. The most commonly used types of meat are pork ribs or chicken. Cut the chicken into small pieces and add it to the medicine half an hour before it is ready. Pork ribs take a longer time to stew, so you can put them in the pot together with the herbs from the beginning. The only requirement is to stew the meat until it is tender and cooked.
(5) Seasonings are not necessary for stewing tonic medicine
Chinese herbs themselves have five tastes: sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty. The combination of various herbs already has a rich taste, so generally, there is no need to add additional seasonings when stewing tonic medicine. However, you can add a moderate amount of rice wine, which can make the tonic medicine sweeter and more flavorful. The medicinal properties of the medicine can also be enhanced by the wine.
(6) Timing for taking medicine
In general, taking tonic medicine on an empty stomach before meals has better effects. It can also be taken between meals (9-10 am and 3-4 pm) or before bedtime. If the gastrointestinal function is weak, it can be taken after meals.
(7) Patients with poor liver function should not add alcohol when stewing tonic medicine
Because alcohol can harm the liver, digestive aids such as ginseng royal jelly and bee milk should be taken about 10 minutes before meals. They are suitable to be taken on an empty stomach in the morning or before bedtime.
