Decoction method of Chinese medicine In order to improve the therapeutic effect of tonics, the decoction method of tonics should be given sufficient attention. Chinese medicine practitioners in the past generations have attached great importance to the decoction method of Chinese medicine, such as the Ming Dynasty Li Shizhen in the “Compendium of Materia Medica” pointed out that: “Where to take the soup medicine, although the product is specialized, repair and treatment as the law, but the decoction of the medicine, reckless substandard, poor water and fire, the fire is out of order, the medicine is also no work.” Xu Lingtai, a famous doctor of the Qing Dynasty, said: ‘The method of decoction is the most important thing to look into, and the effectiveness of the medicine is all about it.’ This shows that the decoction method of Chinese medicine is directly related to the clinical efficacy of the medicine. The choice of decoction apparatus has been discussed by pharmacists in the past generations on the apparatus of decoction. For example, Tao Hongjing of the Liang Dynasty said: ‘Do not use iron for warm soup.’ Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty said: ‘Decoction and avoid using copper and iron, preferably silverware tile.’ The ancient people emphasized the use of pottery decoction, because the pottery and the various components of the drug does not occur chemical reaction, will not affect the efficacy of the soup. In addition, the casserole heat transfer is uniform, gentle and inexpensive, so it has been used since ancient times. Glass and enamel ware can also be used, but copper and iron decoction should not be used. The amount of water used when decocting herbs has a significant difference in water absorption depending on the texture of the herbs. The amount of water used for heavy and hard ores and shells is low; the amount of water used for roots and stems, especially for whole herbs, flowers and leaves, is high. The length of decoction time and the amount of water evaporation also affect the amount of water to be added. Generally, the tablets are placed in the decoction pot and water is added until it exceeds 3-5cm above the surface of the medicine, and the second decoction is added until it exceeds 1-2cm above the surface of the medicine. Soaking time is generally 20-60 minutes, the water temperature is higher, the texture of the whole herbs, flowers, leaves shorter time; water temperature is low, the texture of the more solid roots, fruits, seeds herbs soaking time must be longer. As most of the botanicals are dried, they must be soaked in cold or warm water before decoction. The purpose is to make the herbs moist and soft, and the cells swell to facilitate effective wind dissolution and outward penetration and diffusion. Decoction fire The size of the decoction fire, which is known as “fire” in Chinese medicine, includes “Wenhuo” and “Wuhuo”. The former is lower in temperature and the moisture evaporates slowly; the latter is higher in temperature and the moisture evaporates faster. When decocting medicine, generally “first wu hua and then wen wen”, that is, before boiling, it is appropriate to use wu hua to make the water boil quickly, and after boiling, use wen hua to maintain a slight boiling state to reduce water evaporation, which is conducive to the decoction of drug ingredients, in order to reduce the loss of some ingredients, should be covered with a pot lid. Decoction time and frequency The length of decoction time is generally related to the strength of the fire, the texture of the tablets, the therapeutic effect of the tonics and other factors. Generally, the first decoction is 20-30 minutes and the second decoction is 15-20 minutes; the decoction can be reduced by 5-10 minutes; the tonic medicine can be increased by 5-10 minutes. The decoction time should be shorter for whole herbs, flowers and leaves, longer for roots and fruits and seeds, and longer for jinshi and mesquite. The number of times of decoction for tonics is better than one long decoction, which is usually 2-3 times. Experimentally, it has been proved that the decoction of soup can decoct 80-90‰ of the ingredients twice, and special treatment is needed for some drugs. Please follow the doctor’s instruction for some drugs, including first decoction, second decoction, packet decoction, melting, separate decoction, punching, blending, etc. After each decoction is ready, pour it out while it is still hot. And mix each time and then take it in parts.