How to prepare traditional Chinese medicine

There are specific methods for decocting traditional Chinese medicine, which generally consist of five steps: preparation of utensils, soaking the herbs, decocting, filtering the medicinal liquid, and combining the decoctions. A detailed explanation is as follows:

Step 1: Preparation of utensils. It is best to choose ceramic pots, casserole dishes, or similar vessels, as these materials are chemically stable and less likely to react with the herbs.

Step 2: Soaking the herbs. Place the herbs into the pot and add an appropriate amount of clean water, preferably covering the herbs by 2–3 cm. Soak them for about 30 minutes to allow sufficient water absorption, which helps extract the active ingredients effectively.

Step 3: Decocting. Bring the water to a boil over high heat first, then reduce the heat and simmer slowly. Generally, the initial decoction takes 20–30 minutes, and the second decoction takes 15–20 minutes.

Step 4: Filtering the medicinal liquid. After decocting, strain the liquid using gauze or a sieve to avoid mixing in the herb residue.

Step 5: Combining the medicinal liquid. Combine the liquid from the first and second decoctions and take it in two doses, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Some special herbs may require specific methods of decoction, such as prior decoction, delayed addition, or wrapped decoction. Follow the instructions provided by your physician.