Pills are spherical or quasi-spherical preparations made from finely powdered medicinal materials or extracts combined with suitable adhesive excipients. They are one of the four major forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) preparations, which also include powders, pastes, and pills. The history of pills is the oldest among these forms, and to this day, various TCM pills are still widely used. The advantages of pills include: 1. Accurate dosage. 2. Convenient to carry. 3. Facilitates ingestion. 4. Long shelf life. 5. Reduces irritation to the gastric mucosa.
Pills are the foremost among the four major forms of TCM preparations, with many TCM products available in pill form, such as An Gong Niu Huang Wan (Calm the Palace Pill with Cattle Gallstone), Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavor Rehmannia Pill), and Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan (Aromatic Sand Stomach Nourishing Pill). However, pills also have disadvantages, primarily that their production is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Additionally, regulatory issues in our country have restricted the application of pills. In recent years, the national relaxation of strict controls on TCM preparations has allowed pharmaceutical companies to produce pills according to doctors’ prescriptions for patients. Therefore, the Suzhou Li Liang Ji TCM Decoction Service Center can be commissioned to produce TCM pills.
(1) Prescription
The TCM decoction pieces are the main component of the pills. After a detailed differential diagnosis through observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking, the doctor prescribes a formula based on the principles of differential treatment, tailored to the patient’s constitution and condition, requiring a unique prescription for each individual. Thus, patients need to provide detailed medical history for the doctor’s reference during diagnosis.
(2) Ingredients
The TCM decoction pieces are produced by Suzhou Tianling TCM Decoction Pieces Co., Ltd., ensuring production quality. The TCM pills are pure herbal preparations, with no additional ingredients except for a small amount of honey.
(3) Powdering
After processing and qualifying the herbs in the prescription, they are crushed and passed through a 100-mesh sieve for later use. Before pill-making, they are placed in a sterilized basin. Some herbs may require extraction.
(4) Mixing
Honey that has been boiled is added to the powdered herbs, and a coarse bamboo stick is used to stir the mixture, similar to kneading dough, gradually adding honey while mixing the herb powder until a cohesive mass is formed.
(5) Shaping and Rolling
The mixed herbal mass is rolled into strips, which are then cut into sections according to the marked scale on the board, with each section rolled into a pill.
(6) Drying and Packaging
The prepared pills should be promptly dried at low temperatures, and those containing aromatic herbs should be air-dried in a ventilated area. They are then packaged by weight. The following image shows the finished products.
(7) Notes:
1. The production of pills is based on TCM differential diagnosis, requiring a specific period of about 2-3 days for the pharmaceutical factory to prepare them according to the prescription.
2. TCM has a bitter taste, and there is an ancient saying that “good medicine tastes bitter but benefits the patient.” The finished pills are crispy and have a bitter taste, but they are not difficult to consume.
3. The pills are prepared specifically for the individual and cannot be used by others after preparation.
4. Allergies to pills are rare in children; however, if a child has a history of allergies to TCM, it is necessary to inform beforehand and avoid using allergenic herbs.
5. I have used this method to alleviate the suffering of many children from other regions, proving it to be safe and effective. Proper use of TCM does not harm the liver, kidneys, spleen, or stomach.
6. For those who can attend an in-person consultation, it is recommended to download the “Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine” app to make an appointment.
7. For further inquiries, please consult me on my “Good Doctor” website. My Good Doctor website: renxzcn.HaoDF.com.
8. This consultation is free, and the medication is not marked up (far below market price), and the pharmaceutical factory does not provide kickbacks. It is purely a public service.
9. My goal is to ensure that children with adenoid hypertrophy do not need surgery! If treatment is successful, you can recommend it to other children with the same condition. If it is not effective (which may be rare), then consider surgery.
Thank you for your trust and understanding!