How long should Chinese medicine be soaked?

When we receive TCM treatment, we mainly take Chinese medicine. Especially when we boil Chinese medicine, we need to soak the medicine before boiling it. This is also the most critical thing in boiling medicine. Many friends don’t know how long they need to soak the medicine before boiling it. This plays a direct role in the efficacy of the medicine. However, when soaking the medicine, we must arrange the soaking time according to the type of Chinese medicine. Now let us understand it through the following text.

How long should Chinese medicine be soaked before cooking?

1. How long is the best time to soak Chinese medicine?

1. The soaking time for medicines mainly composed of roots, seeds, rhizomes and fruits is generally one hour.

2. Long-term decoction of some medicines can reduce their toxicity, such as Strychnos nux vomica. It is best to soak the medicinal materials in warm water for 40 minutes before decocting the medicine to allow the medicine to be soaked thoroughly so that more effective ingredients in the medicine can be decocted out.

3. For medicines mainly composed of flowers, leaves and stems, the soaking time is generally half an hour.

China Food Network kindly reminds you: Chinese medicine should be soaked in cold water before decocting. The amount of water should generally be enough to soak the medicine surface 1-3 cm. If it is a large dose or a medicine that is loose and easy to absorb water, the amount of water can be appropriately increased. During the soaking process, it is best to stir it from time to time with a stirring stick so that it can be soaked more evenly.

2. Methods of decoction of Chinese medicine

1. When the Chinese medicine is soaked for a certain period of time, the water in the pot should be 3-4 cm higher than the surface of the medicine. If it is less, you can add cold water, but you cannot add water during the decocting process.

2. After boiling over high heat, turn down the heat to keep the liquid at a low boil. It takes about 20 minutes from the time it boils. Pour out the decocted medicine, this is the first decoction.

3. Add cold water (wait until the casserole has cooled down a little before adding water, so that the casserole is not easy to break.) The amount should be slightly less than the first frying. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes. This is the second frying.

4. Combine the first and second decoctions (about 300-500 ml) and take it warm in two doses.

Through the above introduction, we know how long Chinese medicine should be soaked. We should also pay attention when boiling the medicine. General medicines are also time-sensitive. We should choose the boiling time according to the nature of the medicine. Generally, the doctor will tell you how long it needs to be boiled after prescribing the medicine. Generally, you can strictly abide by it, and you should also pay attention to the time when taking the medicine.