Many traditional Chinese medicines exist in the form of pills, such as Wu Ji Bai Feng Wan (Black Chicken White Phoenix Pill) and Liang Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavor Rehmannia Pill). These are made by finely grinding the medicinal materials or extracts and adding an appropriate amount of adhesive or excipients, maximizing the efficacy of the medicine while being easy to accept, thus improving medication adherence.What are the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine pills?Traditional Chinese medicine pills dissolve slowly in the gastrointestinal tract, with a delayed onset of action and a prolonged duration of effect, often used for treating chronic diseases. Some new types of pills can also be used for emergencies, such as She Xiang Bao Xin Wan (Musk Heart-Saving Pill) and Su Xiao Jiu Xin Wan (Quick-Acting Heart-Saving Pill). Traditional Chinese medicine pills can encapsulate aromatic herbs or those with unpleasant odors, which helps to slow down the release of the medicinal effects or mask the smell of the medicine.What are the common types of traditional Chinese medicine pills?1. Honey Pills
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Honey pills are made by using honey as an adhesive after refining the medicinal herbs into fine powder. They are generally used for tonifying Qi and relieving cough and phlegm. Precious and volatile medicinal ingredients can also be made into honey pills. However, honey pills are prone to moisture absorption, and large honey pills must be thoroughly chewed before swallowing.
2. Water Honey PillsImage source: InternetWater honey pills are made by adding water and honey to the powdered medicinal materials, resulting in small, smooth, and round pills that are easy to swallow; they also save on honey usage, reducing costs and making storage easier.3. Concentrated Pills
Image source: InternetConcentrated pills are made by extracting and concentrating the medicinal ingredients from the prescription into a paste, which is then mixed with other powdered medicines to form pills. This type of pill is developed from honey and water pills, reducing the volume of the medicine and the dosage. The effective components are artificially extracted, which can speed up absorption. However, due to more processing steps, they are more expensive than water and honey pills.How to choose traditional Chinese medicine pills?Although honey pills, water honey pills, and concentrated pills each have their characteristics, they do not affect the medicinal efficacy. If the same prescription is used, the therapeutic effect is the same. The choice depends on individual needs. If one can accept the taste of traditional Chinese medicine and can chew, then large honey pills should be chosen for faster absorption after thorough chewing; if one cannot tolerate the taste of traditional Chinese medicine or lives in a supermarket environment, then water honey pills should be chosen; if economic conditions allow or if one wants a smaller dosage, then concentrated pills should be chosen. For diabetic patients, it is best to choose water honey pills or concentrated pills to prevent significant fluctuations in blood sugar levels caused by honey in honey pills.Warm ReminderAlthough traditional Chinese medicine pills have benefits, they also have significant drawbacks, such as requiring a larger quantity of medicine, which can be quite troublesome for children or those who have difficulty swallowing. Traditional Chinese medicinal materials are made from raw powders, which can easily lead to microbial contamination. It is essential to consult a professional doctor when choosing traditional Chinese medicine pills for treating diseases and not to self-prescribe.
