The soup is the oldest and most commonly used method of serving Chinese medicine. Ancient people have long discussed the apparatus, fire and method of decoction. For example, the "medical source and flow of the theory" said: "decoction of the law, the most appropriate to speak y, the effect of the medicine is not effective, all care about this." Cure with Chinese medicine, whether it is with a single drug, or with a multi-flavored medicines with the formula, need to be certain decoction, add water, wine or other liquid made of soup, before taking, so the decoction of soup is very delicate, which has a great role in determining the efficacy of the drug.
The program of decoction is simple, but it contains a lot of knowledge, so how to decoction can effectively play the role of drugs? Let's start with the container of the decoction. Many people know that the decoction of Chinese medicine to use casserole, and can not use copper, aluminum, iron and other metal made of pot, this is why?
The use of ceramic casserole decoction is because of its stable nature, is not easy to chemical reaction with the drug, in addition, it is slow heat transfer, heat evenly, not easy to paste the pot, and the price is cheap, so the choice of ceramic casserole, pots and pans is the most convenient and practical. If there is no casserole and pot, you can also use stainless steel, enamel products or glassware instead. But can not use copper, aluminum, iron and other metal containers, because the chemical properties of metal containers are unstable, easy to chemical reaction, affecting the efficacy of the drug or even produce toxic side effects. Patients may experience nausea, vomiting and other phenomena after taking it, aggravating the condition.
Water is one of the most important factors in decocting Chinese medicine. Usually as long as the water is clean, well water, tap water can be. But the amount of water is very important, the amount of water for different medicines is not quite the same, less water, may not be enough to decoct the active ingredients in the drug, and if the water is more, not only delay, but also make the concentration of the soup is reduced, also affect the efficacy of the treatment, so a dose of soup before decocting add how much water is the best?
The amount of water used to decoct Chinese medicine is based on the properties of the medicine, the specific requirements for taking it, the size of the medicine, and the amount of medicinal flavor. First of all, before decocting the medicine, it is necessary to fully soak in cold water for 20 to 30 minutes, so that the medicine is completely penetrated by water, which facilitates the dissolution of the active ingredients, and then add water to the decoction. The amount of water added is usually 5 to 10 times that of the drug. Or adding until it is about 2 to 3 centimeters above the surface of the medicine is sufficient. If the doctor has specific requirements, you should follow the doctor's instructions.
The length of time to cook the tonics will also directly affect the quality of the drug, so how long is the best time to cook a dose of tonics in general? Due to the different texture of the drugs, decoction methods, procedures are also different, for example, some drugs should be decocted first after the next, some to be another decoction, etc., so that although it is a very delicate, but more cumbersome, if you do not do so will affect the quality of the drug and its therapeutic effect?
The decoction time should be determined according to the nature of the drug. Usually the first decoction, should be boiled in the Chinese medicine and then simmered for about 20 minutes is good, the second decoction time can be slightly shorter. But also depending on the specific drugs are different and different. For example, the decoction time of some antidepressants should be shorter, because most of the antidepressants use the stem and leaf part of the plant, which is loose in texture and absorbs a lot of water, so the decoction time can be shorter. Aromatic drugs such as patchouli, pellitory, mint and some fresh drugs, due to the volatility of the larger, soft texture, easy to lose too much of the active ingredients of the decoction, so the decoction time should also be short, usually in the other drugs are about to be decocted when the next, smelling the aroma of the medicine can be. Some minerals, shellfish or animal drugs, such as gypsum, magnetite, and like raw oysters, raw stone vitex these medicines, due to the texture of the hard, it is necessary to decoct for about 20 minutes, and then under the other drugs with the decoction. In addition, there are some other drugs that need to be wrapped, such as seeds of small size, powder, sticky, easy to burn drugs, or drugs with burrs, easy to irritate the throat or digestive tract, etc., should be wrapped in gauze before decoction.
What is the meaning of the first and second decoctions of tonics?
The dissolution of the active ingredients of Chinese medicine is the key to cure, so it is believed that Chinese medicine is better to be decocted twice, the first time is called "first decoction", the second time is called "second decoction". This can make the full effect between the drugs, the active ingredients dissolved thoroughly, enhance the efficacy. Usually the two decoctions are mixed together and taken together, totaling about 300 to 500 milliliters, and for patients who have difficulty in taking Chinese medicine, they can take it in small amounts or concentrate it. However, some medicines, such as antidepressants, can not be concentrated, but should be decocted as much as possible to take as much as possible.
Decrypting Chinese medicine fire according to the size of the fire, fire, fire, fire is a small fire, fire is a big fire, fire, then when to use the fire, when to use the fire?
The flame of the martial arts fire is large and fierce, which can make the temperature rise rapidly and make the medicine boil quickly, but it is also easy to burn; while the flame of the literary fire is smaller and the force is more gentle. Therefore, when decocting medicines, the liquid is usually boiled with a martial fire first, and then slowly decocted with a gentle fire.
It is not an easy thing to decrypt the Chinese medicine, after reading the above introduction is not a little help to you. The last let's do a little summary.
Decocting Chinese medicine should pay attention to:
1. prohibit the use of copper, iron, aluminum and other metal containers, so as not to affect the effectiveness of the medicine.
2. The amount of water added should be appropriate, and the decoction should be soaked before, the time depends on the specific situation.
3. Pay attention to the decoction method of special traditional Chinese medicine to ensure the efficacy.
4. Do not take the deteriorated or decocted Chinese medicine to avoid poisoning.
5. Pay attention to the time and method of medication, and follow the doctor's instructions.