Can Chinese herbal decoctions be stored in the freezer?
Oct 22, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
In general, traditional Chinese herbal decoctions should not be stored by freezing. Traditional Chinese herbal decoctions are usually composed of various medicinal herbs and are used for the prevention and treatment of diseases, administered orally or intravenously. Freezing such decoctions may alter the medicinal properties, causing them to lose their intended therapeutic effects, and could even lead to the formation of toxic substances.
Generally, traditional Chinese herbal decoctions should not be stored in the freezer. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Traditional Chinese herbal decoctions usually consist of various herbs and are used for disease prevention and treatment, administered orally or via intravenous injection. Freezing the decoction may alter the medicinal properties, causing it to lose its intended therapeutic effects and potentially generating toxic substances. Additionally, freezing may lead to crystallization of the medication, thereby affecting its efficacy. Therefore, when taking herbal decoctions, patients are advised against freezing them and should instead store them refrigerated.
Patients are also advised to avoid consuming spicy, stimulating, greasy, raw, or cold foods while taking herbal decoctions, as these may interfere with the medication's effectiveness.
