However, some toxic drugs in clinic, such as aconite, need to be decocted for half an hour to an hour to remove the toxicity of aconite. Like some exterior-relieving drugs, such as Saposhnikovia divaricata, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Hua Shuang, etc., the decocting time is slightly shorter, and the specific situation is best carried out under the guidance of a doctor.
For drugs with sweating, relieving exterior syndrome, regulating qi, light texture and volatile fragrance, they can be decocted with slow fire 10 ~ 15 minutes after boiling. Thick tonic, boil and simmer with slow fire for about 1 hour.
There are different methods for decocting drugs with different textures: ① For drugs such as stones, minerals and hard shells whose active ingredients are insoluble in water, they should be crushed and decocted first, then boiled for 20 ~ 30 minutes, and then decocted with other drugs. ② Traditional Chinese medicines with strong toxicity, such as aconite and aconite, should be decocted for 45-60 minutes to reduce toxicity.
Other drugs are boiled for 5 ~ 10 minutes, and then fragrant drugs, such as mint and Amomum villosum, are added, because long-term decoction will reduce the efficacy.
Some precious medicinal materials, such as ginseng, American ginseng, velvet antler, etc. , should be decocted for 2 ~ 3 hours, in order to better extract the effective components, the decoction can be taken alone or mixed with other decoctions.