The Misunderstanding of Chinese Herbal Powders and Granules During the Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, amidst the chaos of war, it was inconvenient to carry herbal pieces, leading to the popularity of powders. The Xie Huang San (Yellow Drain Powder) from Qian Yi’s Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue and Qing Wei San (Stomach Clearing … Read more
Author: Zeng Anna, Chief Pharmacist, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Editor: Luo Wei, Pharmacist, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoction Powder A cost-effective and labor-saving dosage form of traditional Chinese medicine You may have heard of dosage forms such as tinctures, pills, pastes, powders, and decoctions, but does … Read more
Recently, many friends have messaged me, saying that they bought some formulas locally and are brewing them at home. They asked me for precautions and mentioned an important point: is it true that the longer you brew Chinese herbal medicine, the better? Is a thicker decoction better? In fact, this has been a question for … Read more
When it comes to traditional Chinese herbs, do you also think of a steaming bowl of herbal decoction, rich in medicinal aroma? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as the crystallization of wisdom accumulated over thousands of years by the Chinese nation, has permeated into countless households with its philosophy of treating (preventing) diseases. Especially in the … Read more
Chinese herbal medicine is a treasure of our country’s medical system. The in-depth exploration, research, and summarization by ancient sages have led to the widespread recognition and application of Chinese herbal medicine. In addition to the dialectical treatment by doctors, the meticulous dispensing by pharmacists, and careful decoction, the correct method of taking medicine is … Read more
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) decoctions are liquid preparations made by boiling or soaking medicinal materials to extract their essence. This is one of the earliest and most widely used traditional forms of Chinese medicine. Decoctions can adapt to the principles of TCM’s differential diagnosis and treatment, demonstrating significant flexibility and applicability, meeting the needs for … Read more
When it comes to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) adjustments, most people first think of “decoctions”. Indeed, TCM decoctions are the most common method for treatment and adjustment, but with the progress and development of society, medicinal pastes (gāo fāng) have gradually become well-known. As the saying goes, “Taking medicinal pastes in winter ensures a smooth … Read more
Decoctions are the most commonly used form of traditional Chinese medicine, and they were first developed during the Shang Dynasty. During the Xia and Zhou Dynasties, there were already relatively sophisticated pottery items, such as cauldrons, basins, bowls, and jars. In the Shang Dynasty, pottery was more widely used in daily life, and there were … Read more
The correct dosage of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) decoctions is extremely important. As stated in the Tang Ye Ben Cao: “For diseases above, frequent and small doses are preferred; for those below, large and infrequent doses are acceptable; small doses nourish the upper, while large doses strongly supplement the lower.” To this day, the terms … Read more
How to Properly Take Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoctions Timing of Medication The timing of taking medicine should be determined based on the condition. Generally, for diseases affecting the heart and lungs, it is advisable to take the medicine after meals; for diseases affecting the bladder and intestines, it is better to take it before meals. … Read more