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“Doctor, every time I prepare medicine, it’s too troublesome. Is there a more convenient way?”
“Doctor, I need to take Chinese medicine for a long time, but it’s too bitter. What should I do?”
In fact, different forms of Chinese medicine are suited for different conditions. When choosing a form of Chinese medicine, one must consider not only the convenience of taking it or its taste but also the needs of the condition and the characteristics of the medicinal properties of the prescription.
The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing states: “Medicinal properties are suitable for pills, powders, decoctions, wine infusions, and ointments; some substances are suitable for multiple forms, while others should not be used in decoctions or wines, and this must not be violated according to the medicinal properties.” The Tang Ye Ben Cao states: “Generally, decoctions are for major illnesses; powders are for acute illnesses; pills are for chronic conditions, which cannot be resolved quickly, indicating a more gradual treatment approach.” Today, we will explore the applicable scenarios for decoctions, pills, and powders.
1. Decoctions
Decoctions are made by preparing herbal pieces according to a prescription, adding water or wine, soaking, boiling, and straining to obtain the liquid. Currently, the most traditional and commonly used form in clinical practice is the decoction.
Applicable Scenarios: Wide applicability, suitable for both complex and simple conditions, whether acute or chronic.
Advantages: Can be adjusted according to symptoms, flexible formulation, simple preparation method, quick absorption, strong targeting, suitable for all ages, can be taken internally or used externally.
Disadvantages: Poor taste for internal use, time-consuming to prepare, inconvenient to carry, short shelf life, etc.
2. Pills
Pills are made by mixing powdered herbs or extracts with water, honey, dough, or suitable binding agents. Common types of pills include honey pills, water pills, paste pills, and concentrated pills.
Applicable Scenarios: Suitable for chronic diseases requiring long-term medication; certain toxic or aromatic herbs can be made into pills for treating critical conditions.
Advantages: Gradual effect, easy to take, better taste, convenient to carry, easy to store.
Disadvantages: Slow onset, fixed prescriptions, cannot be adjusted according to symptoms.
3. Powders
Powders are made by grinding and mixing one or more herbs into a powder form, which can be taken with water or decocted. Powders can be for internal or external use.
Applicable Scenarios: For acute conditions or when there is a need to enhance the efficacy of treatment for chronic diseases.
Advantages: Quick onset, easy to take, high absorption rate, convenient to adjust dosage.
Disadvantages: Prone to moisture, inconvenient to store, shorter shelf life, can irritate the gastrointestinal tract; strongly irritating herbs are recommended to be encapsulated for swallowing.
After visiting the Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedic Hospital, the Chinese medicine pharmacy, decoction room, and processing room can prepare decoctions, pills, and powders according to the doctor’s prescription, meeting various medical needs and providing patients with a better treatment experience.
Written by: Zhang XiaojunReviewed by: Liu Caiying, Deng Ni, Chen Daijiao
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