1. What are Pills?
Pills are spherical solid forms made by grinding herbs into fine powder or using herbal extracts, combined with suitable binders.
2. What are the advantages of Pills?
Compared to decoctions, pills are particularly suitable for patients whocannot tolerate the taste of decoctions
and have a relativelystablecondition. They are absorbed slowly, have a long-lasting effect, save herbal materials, and are convenient to take and carry.
Li Gao said: “Pills are slow; they treat in a gentle manner.”
Pills are suitable for chronic and deficiency-type diseases, etc.
However, some pills have a more potent nature, often made from aromatic herbs or those with higher toxicity, and are not suitable for decoction, such as An Gong Niu Huang Wan (Calm the Palace Pill with Cattle Gallstone).
3. What are the common types of Pills?
Common types of pills includeHoney Pills, Water Pills, and Concentrated Pills.
① Honey Pills
Honey Pills are made by using refined honey as a binder for the powdered herbs,
and are divided intoLarge Honey Pills and Small Honey Pills.
Honey Pills have a soft and moist nature, with a gentle and lasting effect, and have nourishing and flavor-correcting properties.
They are commonly used to treat chronic diseases and deficiency-type conditions, requiring long-term use.
② Water Pills
Water Pills, commonly known as Water-Filled Pills, are made by using water (either cold boiled water or distilled water) or alcohol, vinegar, honey water, or herbal juice as a binder for the powdered herbs.
Water Pills dissolve, disperse, absorb, and take effect faster than Honey Pills,
making them easy to swallow and suitable for various diseases.
③ Concentrated Pills
Concentrated Pills are made by concentrating the decoction of herbs or part of the formula into a paste, then mixing it with powdered herbs, drying, and crushing it, and forming pills with water, honey, or herbal juice.
Due to their small size, high active ingredient content, and small dosage, they can be used to treat various diseases.
Next issue: Common Forms of Chinese Herbal Medicine: Pastes