Do not underestimate the small size of pills.
The method of administration is crucial.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pills are one of the most common forms of medication in our daily lives, made from fine powdered herbs or herbal extracts combined with suitable binders or excipients, forming spherical or quasi-spherical shapes. Their characteristics include prolonged efficacy, slow release, the ability to mitigate certain toxic side effects of drugs, reduce volatility, mask odors, and ease of consumption and portability.
Pills are classified into various types such as honey pills (mi wan), water honey pills (shui mi wan), water pills (shui wan), paste pills (hu wan), wax pills (la wan), concentrated pills (nong su wan), and drop pills (di wan), depending on the preparation method and excipients used.
Despite being pills, the method of administration is significant. For example, large honey pills (da mi wan) should be chewed or broken into smaller pieces before being swallowed with warm water; if the water pills (shui wan) are hard, they can be dissolved in boiling water before consumption. Additionally, some proprietary Chinese medicine pills may use a medicinal guide (yao yin) to enhance their efficacy.
Below, we will introduce several types of pills with special methods of use.
01
Can be taken orally or applied externally
Liushen Wan (Six Gods Pill)
Efficacy: Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces inflammation and alleviates pain.
Indications: Used for sore throat, throat swelling and pain, throat wind and abscess, single and double breast lumps, pediatric heat sores, carbuncles, breast abscess, and unknown swelling and toxins.
Usage:
1. Oral administration, 3 times a day, swallowed with warm water; children can dissolve in boiling water before taking.
2. External application, can be dissolved in a small amount of cold water or rice vinegar, applied to swollen skin areas until the swelling subsides. If the swelling is about to suppurate or has already ruptured, do not apply further.
Contraindications: Not for use in newborns, pregnant women, or those allergic to this product.
02
Medicinal guide for enhanced efficacy
Xiao Huoluo Wan (Small Activating Collaterals Pill)
Efficacy: Dispels wind and dampness, activates collaterals and alleviates pain.
Indications: Used for wind-cold-damp obstruction, limb pain, numbness, and stiffness.
Usage: Taken with yellow wine or warm water, 6 pills at a time, 1-2 times a day, or as directed by a physician.
Contraindications: Not for use in pregnant women.
Xuefu Zhuyu Wan (Blood Mansion Removing Stasis Pill)
Efficacy: Activates blood circulation and removes stasis, promotes qi and alleviates pain.
Indications: Used for blood stasis obstruction, headaches or chest pain, internal heat and restlessness, insomnia with vivid dreams, palpitations, and irritability.
Usage: Taken on an empty stomach, swallowed with brown sugar water. 6-12g at a time, twice a day.
Contraindications: Not for use in pregnant women.
03
Other special methods of administration
Xiao Jin Wan (Small Golden Pill)
Efficacy: Dissolves masses and reduces swelling, transforms stasis and alleviates pain.
Indications: Used for scrofula, goiter, breast lumps, and symptoms of one or more movable lumps under the skin or subcutaneously, or swelling of bones and joints without skin discoloration, hard swelling with pain.
Usage: Crushed and taken orally. 1.2-3g at a time, twice a day; dosage for children should be reduced.
Contraindications: Not for use in pregnant women; caution in those with allergies; caution for athletes.
Submitted by: Wang Cen
Typeset by: Zhao Juanjuan
Reminder from Xiangshan Pharmacist:
Use medication with caution, do not use blindly.
