Nowadays, many friends like to see Chinese medicine practitioners, and more and more people are taking Chinese medicine, and many patients like to decoct their own medicine. Many doctors have attached great importance to the method of decoction, such as the Qing Dynasty physician Xu Lingtai? The Source of Medicine: “The method of decoction is the most appropriate to speak deeply, the effectiveness of the medicine is not effective, all about this.” So, what are the considerations of traditional decoction method? A. Decoction apparatus Decoction of medicine as far as possible to use evenly heated, stable nature of the pot, and the ceramic pot is better. Do not use copper, iron or aluminum jars. The size of the pot is generally 20-30 cm in diameter, depending on the amount of a dose of medicine. The amount of water put in the decoction depends on the amount, texture and nature of the herbs. Generally speaking, the first decoction (also called first decoction) submerges the herbs 3~5cm, that is to say, after adding water, the water surface is 3~5cm above the surface of the herbs when lightly pressed by hand, and the second decoction submerges the herbs 1~2cm. Cold water soaking before decoction Cold water soaking before decoction: the herbs are usually not cleaned, but directly soaked in cold water for 1 hour before decoction, soaking the herbs wet to facilitate the decoction of active ingredients. In winter, the soaking time can be extended when the temperature is low. Decoction of fire Generally boil with martial fire (high fire) first, and then maintain a slight boil with civil fire (low fire) to avoid overflow and dryness of the herbs too quickly. V. Decoction time Decoction time depends on the efficacy, texture and medicinal properties of the drug. Generally speaking, decoction time is 5 to 10 minutes for the first decoction of antibiotics (cold medicine), purgative medicine and thin gas medicine; 25 to 30 minutes for the first decoction of common drugs; 40 minutes for the first decoction of tonic agents; and 5 to 10 minutes for the second decoction. Sixth, the drug is first decocted and then decocted after the shell and mineral drugs should be broken and decocted for 10 minutes before adding other drugs to the same decoction; aromatic drugs are generally added when other drugs are ready to be decocted for another 5 minutes; to prevent the liquid from being turbid or stimulating to the digestive tract, some drugs should be wrapped in gauze and then decocted, such as Zao Xin Tu and Xin Yi Hua; there are also some valuable drugs to be decocted and stewed separately, such as antelope horn and rhinoceros horn, etc. A dose of medicine is usually decocted 2 times, pay attention to mixing the first decoction with the second decoction to ensure even medicinal effects. VIII. Method of taking medicine For general diseases, 1 dose is taken daily, divided into 2 doses before meals, each time taking about 150-200ml. Tonic medicine is generally taken before meals; medicine with gastrointestinal irritation or poor digestion should be taken after meals; tranquilizing medicine should be taken one hour before bedtime; in case of emergency, it should be taken with decoction; some medicines can be decocted and drunk as tea, regardless of time. For drugs that are harsh, it is advisable to take a small amount first, and then gradually increase, and stop when you see the effect. Decoction is a technical work, decoction is very careful method. Even if the doctor’s prescription is good, if the decoction method is not correct, the efficacy will be reduced. In fact, many Chinese medicine hospitals have powdered Chinese medicine, and the effect of the powdered Chinese medicine will not be worse than the effect of decocting it by yourself. If you can’t master the decoction method of Chinese medicine, it is convenient to choose powdered Chinese medicine to take!