1 week Ago By Naiwen Hu
Many Chinese medicinal herbs cannot be used in their raw state. They need to undergo specific processing to improve their efficacy, eliminate toxicity, minimize side effects, and make them easier to preserve. 1.
Fire Processing Calcining: Directly heating the herb at high temperatures Baking: Similar to roasting sweet potatoes, where herbs are buried in hot ashes and baked Stir-frying with additives: Stir-frying herbs with substances like honey or salt Dry-frying: Dry-frying herbs without any additives 2. Water Processing 3. Water-Fire Processing “Some medicines are best made into pills, some into powders, some are suitable for decoctions, some should be soaked in wine, and some are best prepared as medicinal pastes.
Certain herbs can be used in multiple forms, while others should not be used in decoctions or wine. The formulation must align with the herb’s natural properties and should not be altered arbitrarily.” 1.
Pills For treating diseases of the lower burners, such as the bladder and kidneys, the pills are made larger and harder so they can stay in the intestines and stomach longer. If treating diseases involving the spleen or stomach within the middle burner, the pills should be made smaller. 2.
Decoctions 3. Powder 1. Regulates the Efficacy of Drugs Liquor: Helps guide the medicinal effects upward, making it suitable for treating discomforts on the head, chest, and other elevated parts Ginger: enhances the warming and dispersing properties.
Honey: moderates the herbs’ potency and supports qi and internal organ function. 2. Enhances Absorption of Herbs Rice water processing: Rice rinse water is used to prepare herbs.
It has a lubricating effect, reducing dryness and aiding in absorption. Milk processing: This process uses cow’s milk or human breast milk to process herbs to remove excessive dryness, nourish blood, and reduce irritation. Black bean licorice decoction processing: Herbs are soaked in a decoction of black beans and licorice to neutralize toxicity and achieve a balancing effect.
3. Removes Undesirable Properties Pulp of bottle gourd to prevent bloating Core of ophiopogon to reduce restlessness Lotus seed heart to lessen bitterness 1. Qi-driven Herbs 2.
Substance-Driven Herbs.
