Four Substances Soup is usually taken after decoction and letting it cool to warmth. The steps of decoction include soaking, boiling over a martial flame, and simmering over a gentle flame. Four Substances Soup is a famous formula for tonifying blood and needs to be decocted before consumption. The general decoction method is as follows: first add water until the surface of the herbs does not exceed 3cm~4cm, soak the herbs for 30~40 minutes, then decoct the herbs together with the water over a high flame, bring to a boil, then turn to simmer over a low flame for about 30 minutes, and then pour it out and let it cool down until it is warm enough to be consumed. Specific usage is subject to medical advice. Four Substances Soup consists of 4 herbs: Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong, which have the effects of tonifying, invigorating and nourishing blood. It is often used in treating low menstrual flow, palpitations (accelerated heartbeat often accompanied by panic) due to deficiency of blood in the camp and blood (blood deficiency within the body), insomnia, pale lips and nails and a lack of bluish color on the face. Patients should take this medicine under the guidance of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and should not use it blindly on their own to avoid adverse effects.