Know more about “Medicine” | Is self-decocted Chinese medicine more effective than decocted by someone else?

Xiao Huang is preparing for a professional qualification exam recently. She is also under a lot of work pressure and often feels chest tightness and palpitations. Her mother accompanies her to the hospital to take Chinese medicine for treatment. The doctor prescribed a more convenient Chinese medicine decoction for her, but her mother thinks that her own decoction is more effective. Is that right?

Nowadays, Chinese medicine decoction is favored by patients because of its convenience and availability. However, some patients believe that it takes a long time to decoct Chinese medicine at home, the decoction is sufficient, and it is flexible to decoct first and then add, which is better than decoction. In fact, it is not. Home decoction is a small amount of decoction at normal pressure. The juice should not be stored for a long time. It is easy to oxidize and discolor, which reduces the efficacy. For some herbs, long decoction time will destroy the medicinal properties and affect the efficacy. It is recommended to decoct the medicine at home and take it immediately, and the storage time should not exceed 24 hours. Chinese medicine decoction is generally carried out using a closed pressure decoction machine. Under high temperature and high pressure conditions, its effective ingredients are easier to decoct, and bacteria and spores can be killed more fully to ensure the sterility and hygiene of the medicine. Modern decoction machines also have the function of multi-layer filtration, and the juice is clearer and lighter in color. Decoction can be stored in a cool place or refrigerated in the refrigerator for about 30 days.