Decoction of traditional Chinese medicine is a technical task. Incorrect methods will greatly reduce the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine. So what is the correct method of decoction of Chinese medicine? The water consumption, decoction sequence and heat time should be properly adjusted. , The following Chinese Medicine Encyclopedia will take everyone to learn the correct method of decoction of Chinese medicine.
The correct way to decoct Chinese medicine
1. Water
We seldom consider the question of what water to choose when decocting medicine. In fact, the role of water in decocting medicine cannot be ignored. In Zhang Zhongjing’s prescriptions, some prescriptions require the use of clear water for decoction, some require the use of Ganlan water, spring water, and even the use of well flower water. Profound intention. Different types of water and water from different places have different medicinal effects. Nowadays, tap water, well water, and spring water are mostly used to boil medicine, as long as the water is clean. Tap water as long as it meets the drinking standards set by the country. If the problem of residual chlorine is considered, the tap water can be placed in a container for several hours before being used for decoction, which can significantly reduce the chlorine content. In addition, hot water should not be used to soak traditional Chinese medicine, because a film can be formed on the surface of the medicine, which affects the precipitation of active ingredients.
2. How much water to add
Generally speaking, the amount of water for the first decoction should be about 3 cm from the two horizontal fingers on the medicated surface or the palm of the hand. In actual operation and application, it is still necessary to increase or decrease according to factors such as the texture, dosage, and effectiveness of the medicinal materials, as well as the patient's condition, age, and physical fitness. For some weak water-absorbing mineral, medicinal and aromatic shellfish relieving agent (e.g. Gui Zhi Tang, Yinqiaosan) or the like, not more water to submerge myrrh material degree. Medicinal materials with better water absorption (such as Poria , Chinese yam ) and plant flowers and leaves (such as Inula, Mulberry ,Loquat leaf), etc., should be appropriate to add more water. The texture is hard and sticky. The medicinal materials that need to be decocted for a long time (such as tortoise shell and astragalus ) and nourishing and conditioning agents (such as Liuwei Dihuang Decoction), etc., must add more water due to the prolonged decoction time.
Because the second decoction eliminates the part of the water absorbed by the first decoction, the addition amount of the second decoction usually only needs to be immersed in the medicine.
PS: It is not advisable to add water frequently when decocting the medicine, which is not conducive to the decomposition of the medicine. If the medicine swells by absorbing water and the water is exhausted, add some boiling water as appropriate.
3. The order of decoction
To get a prescription, you must first see if there are any special medicines. The medicines that are marked "decoction first" are mostly minerals, animals, shells or hard medicines. The effective ingredients of these medicines are difficult to decoct, so the method of decoction first is adopted. Heat to a boil with fire, fry for 10 to 15 minutes, then add the group medicine. "Houxia" medicine is a kind of heat-clearing and anti-epidemic medicine, and medicines containing volatile ingredients or loose tissues should not be decocted for a long time, otherwise the effective ingredients will evaporate and reduce the efficacy. When the group medicine is about to be decocted, put the "lower down" medicine in and decoct it for 5-10 minutes. Most of the "bubaojian" medicines contain viscous ingredients or powder medicines, so as not to stick to the bottom of the pot, and the fluffy medicines are easy to irritate the throat, such as inula . "Melting" (烊化) medicine is taken orally by decocting the decoction. "Chongfu" is to take the decoction and take it with warm water.
4. Heat and time
Generally, it is first boiled with martial fire (extreme fire) and then kept boiling at slow fire (slow fire) until it reaches the requirement of decoction. Each medicine is generally decocted twice, and the time depends on the properties of the medicine. The correct method of decoction of Chinese medicine must be determined by the type of medicine.
Light pungent dispersing medicine: Most of these medicines are anti-diaphoretic drugs for treating exopathic diseases. They are mostly flowers, leaves, whole plants, etc. They are light and divergent in nature, fragrant, and contain more volatile oils, so the decoction time should be short. The decoction time is about 10 minutes after boiling, and about 5 minutes after boiling.
Nourishing and conditioning medicines: Most of these medicines are tonics for regulating the qi and blood of the human body and containing a lot of nutrients. Therefore, the decoction takes the longest. The first decoction is 30 minutes or even 60 minutes after boiling, and the second decoction is 20~ after boiling. 30 minutes.
General medicine: fry for 15~20 minutes after the first decoction is boiled, and 10~15 minutes after the second decoction is boiled. It is best to filter the medicinal juice when the medicinal liquid is not cold. Cover the bowl with two layers of clean gauze, and then filter the medicinal liquid to ensure that the medicinal liquid is clear.
5. Dosage and concentration
When decocting traditional Chinese medicine, the liquid medicine should maintain a certain "quantity". Generally speaking, the decoction volume of Chinese medicine should be kept between 400 and 500 ml.
In daily life, most people think that the thicker the decoction of traditional Chinese medicine, the better the effect. Those who hold this view think that the effective ingredients in the decoction pieces of traditional Chinese medicine will be decocted and dissolved in the soup for a longer time. In fact, this understanding is biased.
In fact, decocting traditional Chinese medicine is a process of continuous release and dissolution of the effective ingredients in the Chinese herbal medicine pieces. After the concentration of the effective components in the Chinese medicine pieces and the liquid medicine balance, this process stops. Continue to decoct, not only will not make the active ingredients in the medicine continue to separate out and dissolve, on the contrary, the active ingredients in the medicine will be reduced due to continuous evaporation, and even the active ingredients will be destroyed in the long-term high temperature, resulting in the efficacy of the medicine. reduce. Secondly, the over-concentrated concoction will aggravate the bitterness, which will cause difficulty for the patient to take the medicine, and cause nausea and vomiting after taking the medicine.
PS: The medicine residue can be reused
Decoctions cooked at home often have flocculent sediments. In fact, this is neither slag nor clear soup, but a layer of medicinal liquid that exerts its power. You can shake it before drinking to shake this layer of flocculent sediment evenly.
Conclusion: In addition, the medicine dregs can also be used again. Add some water to the medicine dregs that are to be thrown away after the third decoction. After decocting for ten minutes, pour out the medicine soup and soak the medicine soup for a Chinese medicine. It is not only easier to soak the taste of the medicine, but also to better exert the effect of the medicine. Have you learned the correct method of decoction of Chinese medicine?
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