Is it still useful to boil Chinese medicine overnight?

Chinese medicine needs to be boiled in water before it can be taken, but general prescriptions are not just for a single dose and often need to be taken many times. Many people boil the Chinese medicine once and then leave it there, and continue to boil it the next day. In this way, can the Chinese medicine still exert its original medicinal effect? Let’s take a look at how doctors view this issue.

1. Chinese medicine should not be boiled overnight

Traditional Chinese medicine points out that although Chinese medicines decocted in hospitals or pharmacies are generally packaged in vacuum seals, the temperature is relatively high in summer, so it is best to store the liquid medicine in the refrigerator and the storage time should not exceed seven days. If the medicine bag is bulging or the medicine has changed its taste or contains bubbles, the medicine has most likely gone bad and it is best not to take it.

2. Chinese herbal medicines should not be stored in the refrigerator

Experts particularly emphasize that some people put medicinal materials in the refrigerator to extend their storage time, which is also inappropriate. Putting medicinal materials together with other foods not only makes it easy for various bacteria to invade the medicinal materials, but the humidity in the refrigerator is high, and the medicinal materials are also easily affected by moisture and mold.

3. When is the best time to decoct Chinese medicine?

If you are decocting Chinese medicine yourself, the time required is also important. Traditional Chinese medicine points out that when decocting medicine at home, a dose of medicine is generally decocted twice a day, once in the morning, and the residue is decocted again in the evening. However, this is not the way to decoct medicine in summer. Instead, after decocting it once, add water to decoct the second dose and take it in the evening. The decocted medicine juice should be promptly stored in the refrigerator at low temperature, and should be heated before drinking. It should be pointed out that it is generally not recommended to take Chinese herbal decoctions that you cook yourself overnight.

Chinese medicinal materials are relatively easy to deteriorate, so it is best not to boil them overnight. This will not only affect the efficacy of the medicine, but if the medicinal materials have deteriorated, they will cause diarrhea and other problems after taking them, causing the body to suffer additional pain. Chinese medicine is best placed in a ventilated place, and the humidity of the storage environment should also be within a reasonable range.