Why do we use clay pots to boil Chinese medicine? How long does it take to boil medicine in a clay pot?

In our daily life, when we take Chinese medicine, most people choose to boil it in clay pots or earthenware jars, largely because of habit. How long does it take to boil medicine in a clay pot? What are the precautions for boiling medicine in a clay pot? Let's open the Encyclopedia Knowledge Network to learn about these two very important common senses, so that you can boil out better nutritional supplements.

Contents of this article

1. Why do we use casserole to boil Chinese medicine?

2. How long does it take to boil the medicine in a casserole?

3. Precautions for decocting medicine in casserole

Why do we use casserole to boil Chinese medicine?

In life, when we take Chinese medicine, we usually boil the herbs into soup, dissolve the ingredients in the medicine in water, and then the patient takes it. Unlike making soup and cooking, Chinese medicine cannot be boiled in iron pots, copper pots or other metal pots. It is best to use casseroles and earthenware pots. This is because: first of all, the bottom of the casserole and earthenware pot conducts heat very evenly, the fire is relatively gentle when cooking, and the whole pot has strong heat preservation, and the amount of water evaporation is relatively small, which is conducive to the preservation of heat-sensitive ingredients and the preservation of medicinal ingredients. Secondly, many plant medicinal materials contain tannins, organic acids, etc., which will react chemically with the iron ions in the iron pot and become water-insoluble precipitates, which cannot be absorbed by the human body. In addition, the alkaloids in Chinese medicine need to be combined with tannic acid to dissolve in water. If you use an iron pot to decoct the medicine, the tannic acid will be consumed, the alkaloids cannot be dissolved, and the efficacy of the medicine will also be affected.

Of course, most people choose to use casseroles and earthenware pots to boil Chinese medicine, in addition to scientific reasons, to a large extent it is also because of habit. In fact, stainless steel and enamel containers can also be used to boil Chinese medicine, they are also very safe.

How long does it take to boil medicine in a casserole?

The time for decocting medicine in a casserole should be determined according to the nature of the medicine. Generally, it takes 30 minutes for medicine. Antipyretic medicine, heat-clearing medicine, and aromatic medicine should not be decocted for a long time. After boiling, decoct for 15-20 minutes. After boiling the tonic medicine, use high heat first, then decoct for 40-60 minutes with low heat. Stir the medicine 2-3 times when decocting. Each dose of Chinese medicine is generally decocted twice, and the second decocting time can be slightly shorter.

Precautions for decocting medicine in casserole

It should be noted that sudden heating or cooling of the casserole will cause cracks. When decocting medicine, heat it gradually and do not heat it suddenly on high heat to avoid cracking.

Do not wash the casserole that has just been used to boil medicine with cold water immediately. Let it cool on dry wood chips or racks before cleaning the medicine stains. Do not soak the oil stains on the casserole with detergent to prevent sewage from seeping into the pores. You can wipe it with leftover tea leaves or soak it in rice water to heat it up, and then scrub it with a brush.